Puppeteer and theater artist Ralph Lee has lived in Westbeth since its opening in 1970.  A veteran of The Open Theatre and LaMaMa Etc., among Ralph’s many claims to fame are founding the Village Halloween Parade in 1974, which began as a small community event in the Westbeth courtyard, but which grew to one of the largest events in New York and one of the largest parades in the country. Lee was the parade’s director from 1974 to 1985, and director of the Mettawee River Theatre Company for over four decades starting in 1976.  In his oral history Ralph discusses his range of work expanding the boundaries of art, theater, and community, as well as a half century living at Westbeth.

Read or Listen to Ralph Lee’s Oral History HERE

Ralph Lee’s oral history is one of fifty Village Preservation oral histories with great artists, preservationists, activists, and business owners in our community, and part of our Westbeth Oral History collection. Find out more about Westbeth’s amazing history and legacy here.