Shadow Puppet Workshop: Design your very own shadow puppet!
Join us for a hands-on shadow puppet workshop for all ages! Inspired by the art installation “The Endless End,” which will be performed the night before on Saturday November 8th, students will explore the hidden lives of native Bay Area instects. All students will get the chance to make their very own puppets, and take them home to continue the fun!
Workshop Overview
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We will bring traditional shadow puppets from around the world for participants to look at, explore, and play with.
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A short performance of shadow play will be performed based on a popular children’s story, showing how a familiar tale can come alive with light, shadow, and imagination!
- Following the performance there will some interactive activities:
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Behind the scenes exploration – Step behind the screen, try out sample puppets, and experiment with creating your own shadows.
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Inspiration and learning – See examples of traditional and contemporary puppets, and learn about the creativity and skill behind them.
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Make Puppets and Play in Shadow – Design and make simple puppets and perform mini shadow plays with the support of Caryl and Lydia.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants of all ages and all abilities will:
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Discover the magic of shadow theater.
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Experience the process of turning familiar stories into performances.
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Gain the confidence and ideas to create their own shadow plays at home.
When: November 9th, 2025 from 11am to 1pm
Age: 7+
* Must be 12 and up to use x-acto blades for cutting, all others can use scissors or have teacher assistance.
Skill Level: Beginner
Price: $35
* sales tax removed at checkout
Materials: All materials included!
Location: Cura Contemporary in the Edes Building | 17395 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill CA, 95037
About the Artists:
Lydia Greer is a widely exhibiting interdisciplinary visual artist, filmmaker, animator, and the artistic director of Facing West Shadows, a Lumia arts collective working with shadow casting/ hybridizing art forms to create magical acts of rebellion as experimental art in the gold rush climate of the San Francisco Bay Area. Expanding into film/animation, theater/opera, puppetry, and sculptural installation, Facing West Shadows creates surprising experiences for the audience by seamlessly combining old and new technologies and art forms. Her work includes sculptural and video installation, hand-made stop motion animation, media sculpture, hand-made experimental animation with puppets, projected shadow and light on paper sculpture, two-dimensional drawings and paper cuts, and built immersive environments.
Caryl Kientz is a director, producer, and educator specializing in cinematic shadow theater. She is the Theatrical Director and co-founder of Facing West Shadows, an experimental shadow theater collective known for blending traditional shadow puppetry with animation, installation, and opera. For nearly two decades, she has worked with the internationally renowned ShadowLight Productions, where she now serves as Managing Director and Artistic Associate. Caryl has taught and directed shadow theater workshops and productions across the U.S. and internationally, with students ranging from K–12 to professional artists. Her collaborative work has been performed at venues including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harvard University, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival.
Refunds:
We know plans change! For a full refund, please contact the gallery at least 2 weeks before the workshop. Credit card processing fees are nonrefundable.
Contact: Please contact sydnie@curacontemporary.com if you have any questions.