In this workshop we will discuss different ways that shadows have been incorporated in the world of theatre and music. Participants will experiment with some of these different methods in order to find their own style that would suit the piece of music that they have chosen. By the fourth day, each of the participants will have created a short piece of shadow performance that they show it to the class for feedback and further developments.

Who is this class for?

Performers of all disciplines, Directors, Artists, Singers, Instrumentalists, Theatre Makers, of all kinds.

No previous experience required, as activities and discussions will be designed to meet the inclusive needs of every participant based on their expressed interests and experience level (ages 18+).

We build a safe and vital space for creative ideas to be nurtured as part of a creative community. The Lab allows for peer-learning, valuable critical response and feedback, and hands-on group exercises, discussions, and process-driven activities where each participant will grow and evolve their own individual practice.

Multi-lingual participants are encouraged to apply, but sessions will be facilitated in English. Instructor can translate to Farsi.

Important Information

Dates & Times: Thursdays June 17, 24, July 1 and July 8 at 7:30PM EDT

Sessions & Duration: Four (4) weekly, 90-min online sessions

Deadline to apply: Sunday, May 30, 2021, 11:59PM EST

Notification: Sunday, June 6, 2021, 11:59PM EST

Participant Fee: $350 / $300.00 (Alumni Discount)

Payment Due: Friday, June 11, 2021 (either in full or partial)

Subsidies/Scholarships: We offer subsidy to any culturally or socially underrepresented participant based on expressed need and as funds are available.

With respect to our extraordinary teaching artists we cannot offer these classes for free.

What to expect:

Day 1

Topic: Introduction to Shadow Theater from around the world

Description: A brief introduction to different styles of shadow works and how far one can go with shadows. We will also explore different materials in action.

Take-aways: The goal of this session is to widen the participant’s idea about the world of shadows and direct the creativity to the realm of shadows.

Day 2

Topic: Mood and shadows

Description: In this session, participants practice finding the visual mood of their chosen music and translating that mood into shadows. Once they set the mood, they start to explore the form of their project and the materials they need to perform it.

Take-aways: The goal of these exercises is for the participants to find the frame of their project based on the music and make choices based on this interdisciplinary dialogue between music and shadows.

Day 3

Topic: Trial and error

Description: In this session, participants engage in a trial and error process of designing , rehearsing, discovering and editing, while giving feedback to each other.

Takeaways: The goal of this session is to encourage participants to discover the most practical ways to realize their ideas on stage and make the best of their resources when they have to compromise.

Day 4

Topic: Performances

Description: Participants perform their final version of their project and get feedback from the instructor and the class in order to take their projects further after the workshop.

Takeaways: The goal of this session is to share and celebrate your artistic journey. So much can be learned through the rehearsal and workshop process.

**Guests can be invited to the final performances upon participants’ consent.

Course Supplies:

Start saving supplies! Bring the following materials that are available at any CVS, art supply store or that you can by online from Amazon or similar online marketplace:

• Cardboard boxes or Any kind of box (Pasta box, Amazon box, shoe box, etc.)

• Paper or cardstock (any kind, but should be thick)

• Scissors

• Fasteners & adhesives (Tape and Glue)

• Sheet or any light fabric (like a bed sheet, shower curtains work best!)

• A source of light (Flashlight, headlight, phone light, LEDs are best. The more condensed the light the better.)

Technical Requirements:

Access to a computer, laptop or smartphone with video, and a reliable internet connection are the technical requirements for the program. 

For your presentation, try to make the room as dark as possible.

Format:

Guerilla Lab Creatives will meet in video conferences via Zoom. Program materials will come from your instructor and be shared using google docs and other online resource sharing programs.

Guerilla Lab Creatives will be expected to complete writing, research, and other activities as assigned by the instructor between sessions so co-learning time can be used for new topics, discussions, and sharing.

About Guerilla Labs:

We want to amplify your unique perspective in our community and give you the ability to share the artforms you love with your community. Our vision is to examine the world through culturally focused and contemporarily lenses. We especially encourage female-identifying artists, LGBTQ+ artists, and BIPOC artists to apply and offer need based subsidies to these groups as available!

Guerilla Opera is the premiere ensemble for new opera in the Boston area and one of the first in the country to exclusively commission new works. For us, art-making is a collaborative process. Our Guerilla Lab extracts the words from the music in order to isolate and explore this aspect of opera development more fully.

Questions? Email programs@guerillaopera.org