5 weeks
Tuesdays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31
Admission : $145 (Patreon members at $5 mo. and above) / $165 (regular admission);
7-9 pm Eastern time (4 pm-6 pm California time, 12 am-2 am London time, 1 am-3 am Paris/Amsterdam time)

There is something both alluring and infinitely dangerous about living in the shadows. Whether the shadow is a funhouse abstraction of our physical bodies or a reflection of a troubled soul after death, shadows have played a prominent role in our psyche, art and entertainment for millennia. Yet, no matter the nature of the shade, shadows are only possible in tandem with object and light.

In this class, we will be utilizing this three-pronged relationship as our medium to explore the mythic, mysterious and monstrous through the fabrication of our own shadow based creation. Students will be introduced to the history of shade-based storytelling and find avenues for inspiration through concise lectures and curated visual meditations. With the aid of weekly prompts and demonstrations, you will learn different approaches to building shadow puppets, magic lanterns and other forms of shadow-centric art, culminating in a final project of your choosing.

Whether you want to animate an origin story like the puppet masters of old or activate a room through ghostly projections, you are invited to join us as we face the shadowy corners and tap into the ultimate power of the dark arts!

Working within both the professional and academic communities, Alisa Sickora Kleckner has designed and built costumes, masks, puppets, and f/x makeup for well over 200 productions, specializing in by not limited to theatre and themed entertainments. Alisa has also produced, directed and/or written a number of original puppetry pieces and devised works as well as created or consulted on immersive experiences. As an educator, she teaches a wide range of courses in theatre design and technology as well as lecturing in art classes including Foundations, 3D printing and Digital Fabrication and Entrepreneurship in the Arts. Alisa has taught professional and collegiate technique-based workshops across the country and more recently found a voice on panels for inclusivity and diversity in themed entertainment. Beyond her traditional theatre endeavors, Alisa operates Scared of My Shadow, a leather mask business in which she specializes in creating wearable art pieces. A selection of her works are viewable at www.alisa-sickora-kleckner.com and www.scared-of-my-shadow.com.

Main Image: Aladdin fights the demons of Wak-Wak with his magic lamp, from Lotte reiniger, Art, Shadow puppets