ThoughtGallery.org > Shadow Puppet Performance + Talk: Chinese Theatre Works’ Shadow Restoration Project

Shadow Puppet Performance + Talk: Chinese Theatre Works’ Shadow Restoration Project

Legends place the origin of shadow puppetry in China to the Han dynasty, when an infamous magician used the technique to pretend to raise the spirit of the Emperor’s favorite concubine from beyond the grave. For more than 2000 years, this ancient form of storytelling has delighted generations of viewers, earning its place among China’s treasured oral traditions. On June 12, Chinese Theatre Works (CTW) will provide an exclusive look at the work of their Shadow Restoration Project featuring a presentation about the restoration of their antique puppet collection and a performance of their award-winning production Tiger Tales using restored puppets. Join us for this special evening celebrating the Chinese art of shadow puppetry, with an incredible group of storytellers who are helping to keep the tradition alive.

The evening will feature:

• An excerpt from CTW’s award winning shadow production Tiger Tales — a show using copies of antique shadow figures from their collection and an overhead projector to tell stories inspired by traditional Chinese idioms. (In other words, not your typical Chinese shadow theatre!)
• A demonstration of pieces from CTW’s antique collection and the traditional method of performing a shadow show
• An in-depth conversation with the CTW team about their restoration project
• A glimpse at shadow figures from around the world

The Shadow Restoration Project of Chinese Theatre Works (CTW) is dedicated to preserving and promote Chinese shadow puppetry, a.k.a. piyingxi, an art form that has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Efforts of this project include collecting and cleaning antique Chinese shadow puppets, properly labeling and categorizing the figures, curating exhibitions using the collection, educating the general public about the art form, and creating new productions based on the collection.

This event is partially supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.











When: Wed., Jun. 12, 2019 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: China Institute
100 Washington St.
212-744-8181
Price: Non-Member $10; Free for Member
Buy tickets/get more info now
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Legends place the origin of shadow puppetry in China to the Han dynasty, when an infamous magician used the technique to pretend to raise the spirit of the Emperor’s favorite concubine from beyond the grave. For more than 2000 years, this ancient form of storytelling has delighted generations of viewers, earning its place among China’s treasured oral traditions. On June 12, Chinese Theatre Works (CTW) will provide an exclusive look at the work of their Shadow Restoration Project featuring a presentation about the restoration of their antique puppet collection and a performance of their award-winning production Tiger Tales using restored puppets. Join us for this special evening celebrating the Chinese art of shadow puppetry, with an incredible group of storytellers who are helping to keep the tradition alive.

The evening will feature:

• An excerpt from CTW’s award winning shadow production Tiger Tales — a show using copies of antique shadow figures from their collection and an overhead projector to tell stories inspired by traditional Chinese idioms. (In other words, not your typical Chinese shadow theatre!)
• A demonstration of pieces from CTW’s antique collection and the traditional method of performing a shadow show
• An in-depth conversation with the CTW team about their restoration project
• A glimpse at shadow figures from around the world

The Shadow Restoration Project of Chinese Theatre Works (CTW) is dedicated to preserving and promote Chinese shadow puppetry, a.k.a. piyingxi, an art form that has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Efforts of this project include collecting and cleaning antique Chinese shadow puppets, properly labeling and categorizing the figures, curating exhibitions using the collection, educating the general public about the art form, and creating new productions based on the collection.

This event is partially supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Buy tickets/get more info now