Papermoon Puppet Theatre is an internationally acclaimed contemporary puppet theatre company based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Founded in April 2006 by Maria Tri Sulistyani (Ria) and Iwan Effendi, the group has transformed the traditional perception of puppetry into a deeply emotional, avant-garde visual art form that reaches audiences of all ages across the globe.
Core Philosophy & Style
Silent Puppetry: The group heavily relies on non-verbal storytelling, using evocative, poignant gestures, music, and lighting rather than spoken dialogue to bridge cultural and language barriers.
Signature Aesthetic: Their puppets feature distinctive, modernist, moon-shaped faces crafted from materials like clay, paper, and wood.
Impactful Themes: Pementasan topics often process profound historical realities, societal issues, loss, identity, and everyday human experiences through an imaginative and poetic lens.
Inclusivity: Their visual, non-verbal approach makes the performances naturally accessible to deaf audiences, and they proactively experiment with tactile elements to welcome blind audiences as well.
Dynamic Milestones
Papermoon has created over 20 distinct works and toured more than 10 countries, performing in spaces ranging from prestigious international halls to local trains and streets.
Global Acclaim (June 2026): Papermoon made its European debut at the prestigious Theater der Welt 2026 in Chemnitz, Germany, with their production “Stream of Memory”. The non-verbal show featuring a giant puppet named Kali moved the audience so deeply that they received a historic, 10-minute standing ovation from a full opera house—a rare feat among notoriously reserved German theatergoers.
Pesta Boneka: Since 2008, Papermoon has independently organized and hosted Pesta Boneka, an international biennial puppet festival in Yogyakarta. The festival brings together hundreds of independent puppetry artists and enthusiasts from around the world.
Pop Culture Presence: The theater achieved massive mainstream recognition in Indonesia after being prominently featured in a pivotal scene of the hit romantic drama film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2 (AADC 2).
Visiting and Programs
The Papermoon Puppet Theatre Studio is nestled in the woods of Sembungan, Bangunjiwo, Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta.
The Studio: Functions as the group's private creative kitchen, workshop space, and residency center. It is not open for daily public walk-ins or casual visits unless you are attending a ticketed performance, pre-booked workshop, or special event.
Artist Residency: They run the Papermoon Residency House located nearby in a terracotta artisan village, which provides immersive exchange opportunities for international artists and occasionally accommodates holiday travelers looking for a creative stay.
