TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Popular German puppeteer, Uwe Spillmann, will perform his “Strolling Puppeteer Theater” on Thursday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m. at The University of Alabama in 150 Shelby Hall.

Sponsored by Capstone International and Mercedes Benz U.S. International, the 4 p.m. performance is in German for the children of the German Supplementary School and all others interested in German, regardless of age. The public event is free.

For all students in the UA German Program interested in seeing Spillmann’s puppet show in both English and German, a special performance will be held the same day, Jan. 24., at 11 a.m. in 203 B.B. Comer Hall.

Spillmann has traveled with his puppet theater "Kiepenkasper" throughout the world, including England, Greece, Turkey, Finland, South Africa, New Zealand and the United States. Since 1996, he has been performing with his own Kiepenkasper at festivals and markets, but also schools and shows worldwide. Spillmann is a teacher of German and English, and his puppets have assisted him in teaching a foreign language.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.