Beverly Hill is a TV pilot created by Marissa Fenley and Madeline Mahrer that explores the dynamics of rich housewifery by forcing it to adjust to a post-capitalist world. Set ten years after a major economic revolution, this episode follows six housewives, represented by papier mâché rod puppets, who live together in a dilapidated mansion atop Beverly Hill—the last hill left standing in the one-time playground of the rich and famous.

Schedule

4:30-5:45
Multimedia Presentations on Puppetry and Reality Television

"Vocal Vampires"
Sarah Rebecca Kessler
Assistant Professor of English
University of Southern California

"Real Housewives Remediated"
Brandon Truett
Head of Learning and Community Engagement
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University

"Farce, Property, and Pizza Delivery"
Olivia Stowell
Ph.D. Student in the Department of Communication & Media
University of Michigan

"Excremental Catastrophe on The Real Housewives of New York"
Beatrice Bradley
Assistant Professor of English
Muhlenberg College

"Turning Doll to Puppet: Manipulation in Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story"
Torry Bend
Associate Professor of the Practice of Theater Studies
Duke University

5:45-6:00
Break

6:00-6:15

"Introduction to Beverly Hill"
Marissa Fenley
Harper Schmidt Collegiate Assistant Professor in TAPS
University of Chicago

6:15-6:45
Screening of Beverly Hill

6:45-7:30
Panel Discussion and Q&A

7:30-8:30
Catered reception