Samuel J. Lewis, II, or Sam, is a puppeteer, teaching artist, and arts administrator from Chicago, IL whose work bridges tradition, innovation, and community. With a background in theater, Sam discovered puppetry by accident as a performer but quickly realized that it is a powerful medium for storytelling.
Currently developing his project Black Episcopalian, with the support of Puppet Showplace’s Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers, Sam recently shared a few of his thoughts about the program:
A photograph of Sam as a baby with his family.
Puppet Showplace: Can you describe your project in a few sentences? (type of puppetry, materials you are working with, topic, etc)
Samuel J. Lewis, II: Black Episcopalian is a multi-plane puppetry project that combines shadow puppetry, music, layered scenic elements, and projected imagery from a live camera feed to create a sense of depth and cinematic parallax onstage.
Drawing inspiration from multi-plane animation techniques, the piece uses visual layers, lighting, and object movement to explore [my] family’s history in the Episcopal Church, Black spirituality, childhood memory, and the impact of [my] mom’s legacy on [my] life.
A behind-the-scenes peek at the multi-plane set up used in “Black Episcopalian,” at an earlier work-in-progress showing at the Chopin Theater in Chicago.
Puppet Showplace: What inspired (or is inspiring) the work you are creating during your Creative Residency?
Samuel J. Lewis, II: My recent work is inspired by my recent discovery of tremendous family history that dates back centuries, due to being introduced to a man who is a descendant of the people who enslaved my ancestors for over 200 years. He started me on a road of discovery that has manifested as a research project as much as it is an artistic practice.
Puppet Showplace: What have you found most rewarding or beneficial about your experience so far with the Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers?
Samuel J. Lewis, II: Being in community with the rest of the cohort, and the residency organizers has been the most beneficial aspect of the residency. It is such a pleasure to get to know other Black puppeteers, witness the breadth and diversity of our practices, and create in proximity to each other.
Puppet Showplace is proud to support boundary-pushing artists like Sam. Follow Sam on his Instagram and website, and subscribe to Puppet Showplace’s newsletter to be notified about performances by Creative Residency fellows!
And, don’t forget to join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026 for Amplify: The Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers Showcase! Celebrate bold new voices in puppetry! Discover innovative works at a one-night-only finale to the 6th edition of the Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers, featuring “puppet slam”-style performances — at Boston University’s lovely Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre!
Interested in learning more about the Creative Residency program and our current cohort? Find more details about current and post fellows here →
