The annual benefit gala will take place on World Puppetry Day, March 21 at Guardian Works in Atlanta.
The Center for Puppetry Arts has announced that Emmy®-nominated, Peabody-winning and WGA-winning writer, director and comedian Julio Torres will be the new Special Celebrity Guest for String Fling 2026, the Center’s annual fundraising gala celebrating creativity, imagination and the transformative power of puppetry.
Originally scheduled guest, David Arquette, has had to step away due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, but shared a statement throug the CPA:
“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.”
Julio Torres at String Fling
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 will honor 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 for the 2026 gala.
“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.”
About Julio Torres
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 tour, “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 OffBroadway 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 in 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 role as 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.
What to expect at String Fling 2026
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.
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 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 March 21, fans and supporters nationwide can bid in the String Fling’s online auction, running March 15-21.
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 one.bidpal.net/stringfling26 for more information.
