Center for Puppetry Arts Announces JULIO TORRES as New Special Celebrity Guest for String Fling 2026
Center for Puppetry Arts Announces JULIO TORRES as New Special Celebrity Guest for String Fling 2026
Annual benefit gala will take place on World Puppetry Day
Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Guardian Works in Atlanta
ATLANTA (FEBRUARY 2026) – The Center for Puppetry Arts is thrilled to announce Emmy®-nominated, Peabody-winning and WGA-winning writer, director, and comedian Julio Torres as the new Special Celebrity Guest for String Fling 2026, the Center’s annual fundraising gala celebrating creativity, imagination, and the transformative power of puppetry.
String Fling 2026 takes place on World Puppetry Day, Saturday, March 21, at Guardian Works in Atlanta, and launches the Center’s three-year countdown to its 50th Anniversary in 2028. Each year during this milestone period, the Center honors a distinguished artist whose work embodies the spirit, influence and enduring relevance of puppetry. With his singular artistic voice and boundary-pushing vision, Julio Torres is a natural and inspiring fit.
“Julio Torres is the embodiment of our theme this year, The Spark of Imagination,” said Beth Schiavo, Executive Director of the Center for Puppetry Arts. “His work reminds us that the smallest, strangest, or most overlooked idea can become something extraordinary. That belief is at the very heart of puppetry and of everything we do at the Center.”
Torres is an award-winning Brooklyn-based writer, director, and comedian from El Salvador. His work on “Saturday Night Live” earned four Emmy® nominations and received wide acclaim. His first solo hour, “My Favorite Shapes” by Julio Torres, received rave reviews and was released as an HBO comedy special in 2019. Torres co-created and starred in HBO’s Peabody Award–winning series “Los Espookys” alongside Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega, and created, wrote, directed, and starred in HBO’s “Fantasmas”. Most recently, his one-man show “Color Theories” was filmed during its sold-out Off-Broadway run and will soon be released as an HBO comedy special. Torres made his feature directorial debut with A24’s “Problemista”, which he wrote and starred alongside Tilda Swinton. His first book, “I Want to Be a Vase”, was published by Simon & Schuster in 2023.
Torres’ work consistently elevates objects, characters, and ideas that might otherwise be dismissed—infusing them with wonder, personality, and meaning. That sensibility has made Torres an especially beloved figure among fans. His recurring robot assistant, “Bibo,” introduced in HBO’s “Fantasmas” and later reappearing in his one-man show “Color Theories”, is equal parts companion and comic foil, serving as a perfect reminder of how Torres uses humor and craft to transform unconventional ideas into something emotionally resonant.
At String Fling 2026, Torres will treat audiences to a special presentation exploring creativity, inspiration, and puppetry. His participation underscores the Center’s mission to celebrate artists who bridge experimental expression and mainstream success while honoring the roots of the art form.
The Center also shares the update that original Special Celebrity Guest David Arquette is no longer able to attend this year’s gala due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict. Arquette expresses his regrets with the following statement:
“I was truly looking forward to joining the Center for Puppetry Arts for this year’s gala, so it’s with genuine disappointment that I have to step back from the engagement due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict. The work this organization does—celebrating creativity, storytelling, and the magic of puppetry—means so much to me, and I’m incredibly grateful for their understanding. That said, I’m very happy to share that the gala will be in wonderful hands with Julio Torres, who I know will make the evening special and inspiring for everyone attending. Thank you for your continued support of this art form that is near and dear to me, and I hope you have an unforgettable evening on March 21.”
About String Fling 2026
String Fling is the Center for Puppetry Arts’ annual fundraising gala with a goal of raising $350,000 to support the Center’s work providing creative and cultural experiences to thousands of children, adults, families, students, and educators through a large spectrum of annual programming.
The String Fling 2026 main program will include a creative presentation from Special Celebrity Guest Julio Torres and remarks from the Center for Puppetry Arts leadership. The evening will also include curated puppetry activations, exclusive auction offerings, an elevated selection of food and beverage, and a festive program supporting the Center’s legacy and future.
In addition to the live event on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Guardian Works in Atlanta, fans and supporters nationwide can bid in the String Fling’s online auction, running March 15-21, 2026. Each year, hundreds of supporters attend the String Fling gala, and thousands more participate in the online auction, so guests are encouraged to purchase tickets or register for the auction early.
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and auction pre-registration are now available.
Visit the event website directly https://one.bidpal.net/stringfling26
About the Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is a one-of-a-kind cultural institution where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained through performances, workshops and a world-class museum. Since 1978, the Center has inspired millions of visitors onsite and through digital learning and outreach programs. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Center is supported by corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals including major funding from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Georgia Council for the Arts, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Center is a member of TYA/USA/ASSITEJ and serves as the headquarters of UNIMA-USA.