ARTSEMERSON PRESENTS THE 4TH WITCH

MANUAL CINEMA RETURNS TO BOSTON WITH THEIR SIGNATURE STAGE-MAGIC TO CONJURE MACBETH FROM A BRAND-NEW PERSPECTIVE

*****

A MANUAL CINEMA PRODUCTION
DIRECTED & DEVISED BY DREW DIR, SARAH FORNACE & JULIA MILLER
TWO WEEKS ONLY
EMERSON PARAMOUNT CENTER
ROBERT J. ORCHARD STAGE
OCTOBER 30 – NOVEMBER 9, 2025

[Boston, MA – Wednesday, October 8, 2025] – ArtsEmerson, Boston’s leading presenter of contemporary world theater and film and the professional presenting and producing organization of Emerson College, is honored to welcome back Manual Cinema with THE 4TH WITCH, at the Emerson Paramount Center from October 30 through November 9, 2025. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, this spellbinding production weaves together puppetry, live music, shadows, and silhouettes to conjure a story of grief, vengeance, and transformation. Manual Cinema has built a devoted fanbase in Boston over the course of their thrilling past productions at ArtsEmerson including Ada/Ava and Frankenstein.

Photo Credit: Katie Doyle

In THE 4TH WITCH, a displaced girl flees war, orphaned and exiled, until rescued by a witch who adopts her as an apprentice. As she advances in craft, her pain and fury propel her into a haunting quest against the warlord who annihilated her family. The production’s inventive staging makes spectacle from silhouette and shadow puppetry, inviting audiences into a new world built entirely in plain sight of its magic.

“We’re so excited to return to ArtsEmerson with Manual Cinema’s newest feature, THE 4TH WITCH. As Manual Cinema celebrates its fifteenth year making interdisciplinary puppetry, theater, and music, we’re thrilled to share our genre-bending inversion of Shakespeare’s Macbeth with Boston audiences,” shares Drew Dir, Co-Artistic Director & Lead Deviser.

Following each performance of THE 4TH WITCH, audiences are invited to join Puppet Time—an interactive post-show experience in which guests can explore and play with the materials and techniques used in the production. Puppet Time will not follow the October 30 evening show or the November 1 evening show. On November 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM, a special Talk Back will take place immediately after the performance, featuring the creators in conversation with the audience.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH MANUAL CINEMA AT ARTSEMERSON

Witches Night Out
ArtsEmerson is thrilled to present Manual Cinema’s THE 4TH WITCH on Halloween by marking the special occasion by encouraging all audiences to gather their ghoul-squad to celebrate spooky season at the Friday, October 31 7:30PM ET performance of the show. Costumes are encouraged! Post your theater selfie with #WitchesNightOut so we’ll be sure to see it. Click here for tickets.

The Point: Something Wicked This Way Comes
Thursday, October 21, 2025 at 6:00PM ET
This panel brings together artists, scholars, and cultural critics to interrogate the persistent demonization of women who wield agency, intellect, or independence. From Shakespeare’s witches and Medea’s fury to contemporary media portrayals of “difficult” women, we’ll examine how stories—on stage and off—have long served to contain or punish female power. Click here for tickets and additional information.

Tickets for THE 4TH WITCH may be purchased 24/7 at ArtsEmerson.org, or by calling 617-824-8400 (Tue-Sat from 12:00PM ET – 6:00PM ET). The Paramount Center Box Office (559 Washington Street, Boston) is open for walk-up service Thu-Sat from Noon – 6:00 PM ET. Tickets start at $27.50. Groups of 10+ attending a performance save up to 30%. For production stills and other media kit assets, click here.

MANUAL CINEMA TAKES OVER BOSTON IN OCTOBER!

Manual Cinema will be hosting events with ArtsEmerson partners the Coolidge Corner Theatre and Wheelock Family Theatre during the month of October, additional details can be found below.

Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster
Based on the Books by Mo Willems
October 9 – 19, 2025
Wheelock Family Theatre
For tickets: https://www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org/performances/current-season/leonardo/

Candyman with Manual Cinema
October 29, 2025 at 7:30PM ET
Coolidge Corner Theatre
A special presentation of Candyman (2021) along with a selection of short films by Manual Cinema, who created the incredible shadow puppetry used in the feature. Stay for a post-screening discussion with the artistic directors of Manual Cinema. For tickets: https://coolidge.org/events/candyman-manual-cinema

LISTINGS INFORMATION FOR THE 4TH WITCH

Public Health Information:

Mask-wearing is strongly encouraged at all times while indoors at the theatre but is no longer required for most* performances and events. For folks who require a socially distanced seating location or who have other questions or concerns, please contact the Box Office by phone at 617.824.8400 or by emailing tickets@artsemerson.org to arrange seating that accommodates your needs. Masks and face shields will also be available at the theatre upon request. If you or a member of your party is feeling sick, experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or has been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 10 days, please stay home. Our box office will allow you to refund or exchange performance tickets at any time prior to the event. No one should come to the venue if they are not feeling well. It is within our values to create a safe space for everyone, full stop. All staff at the Theatres of Emerson College are working to ensure the health and safety of all who are sharing these spaces. Maintaining our community’s health and safety requires the effort of all involved. By committing to this Shared Code of Conduct, you are not only protecting yourself, but fellow guests, artists, and staff. Please do all you can to help keep all of us safe. We cannot wait to see you at the theater! Click here to review full info on Health and Wellness information.

CREDITS & BIOGRAPHIES

Produced by: Manual Cinema
Concept & Direction: Drew Dir
Devised by: Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace & Julia Miller
Original Score & Sound Design: Ben Kauffman & Kyle Vegter
Puppet / Silhouette Design: Drew Dir
Mask Design: Julia Miller
Lighting Design: David Goodman-Edberg
Costume / Wig Design: Sully Ratke
Creative Producer: Laura Colby

PRESENTER INFORMATION

ArtsEmerson
ArtsEmerson is the professional presenting and producing organization at Emerson College, and its mission is to bring people together to experience powerful performances that delight, provoke, and inspire, celebrating both our differences and common humanity. Founded in 2010 by Robert J. Orchard — the year the U.S. Census confirmed there was no single cultural majority in Boston — ArtsEmerson is committed to building a cultural institution that reflects the diversity of our city. Our imaginative and globe-spanning live and virtual performances, films, and conversations invites each of us to be part of a Boston that is more creative, equitable, and connected. ArtsEmerson is led by Interim Executive Director of the Office of the Arts & ArtsEmerson Director of Artistic Programming, Ronee Penoi. For more information visit ArtsEmerson.org.

Emerson College
Emerson College is uniquely dedicated to the arts and communication, educating and inspiring storytellers and artists to impact and advance creative industries and media throughout the world. Distinguished faculty spearhead a dynamic curriculum and guide several thousand undergraduate students and 1,300 graduate students to exhibit an unyielding spirit of creativity, professionalism, and critical thought, to transform lives, and make a profound impact on our community and beyond. Based in the world-class city of Boston, Massachusetts, opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s Theater District, the College offers experiential learning programs in Boston and across the globe: at Emerson Los Angeles, located in Hollywood, at its 14th-century castle, in the Netherlands, and at 28 global programs. Emersonians, including 58,000+ alumni, shape industries, inspire change, and amplify voices that redefine our culture. For more information, visit emerson.edu.