In the Heart of the Beast will run a series of new puppet theater premieres during the first two weekends of March. "PuppetLab" is curated by Alison Heimstead and will present four works with diverse styles and subject matter intended for teens and adults.

"Melting" by Mary Parker and Marg Rozycki.

The series opens this Friday with two shows that run through Sunday. "Melting" is a story created by Mary Parker and Marg Rozycki about two characters grappling with transitions and the world's transformation. "Ain't Heard Tell" is by Matt Larson and Hannah Rivenburgh, with assistance from veteran HOBT director Masanari Kawahara. It uses bluegrass music, dance and storytelling along with puppetry to explore how culture is transmitted.

There is a video of Larson and Rivenburgh explaining some of their process.

"The Pollen Road," by Reed Ellis Aubin. On March 9-11, "The Pollen Road" by Reed Ellis Aubin deals with talking plants, farmers and the toxic land.

"Meet me in the heart caves," by Daniel Polnau. "Meet me in the heart caves," a visual poem by Daniel Polnau, also plays that weekend.