CTW workshops emphasize the practical process of collaborative creation involved in all forms of theater. Led by skilled artists with decades of experience, the hands-on training and participatory approach draws connections between traditional Chinese art forms (e.g., opera, puppetry, face painting, calligraphy) and the regular classroom curriculum. They encourage teamwork and foster the development of the skills involved in working with others towards an artistic goal, while learning about the aesthetics and history of these cultural treasures. Workshops can be designed to suit any age group and skill level– from primary school to professional.
Shadow Puppetry Workshop
Shadow theatre is an ancient Asian contribution to the performing arts. From its first written mention some 2000 years ago through succeeding centuries, the Chinese shadow theatre tradition has evolved into a sophisticated art form, closely related to Chinese opera. Delicately carved and colored animal-skin figures are manipulated behind cloth screens to portray characters from literature, folktales, and religious.
CTW’s workshops adapt this tradition by using overhead projectors to create live shadow theatre performances in the classroom, with scenes. Using the simplest of technical means, students create puppet figures made out of paper and acetate, wire, fabric scraps and gel, found objects, kitchen utensils and toys. Workshop leaders guide participants through the entire process of creating a puppet productions– storyboarding, scriptwriting, designing, and constructing puppets, as well as rehearsals and performance.
Face Painting Workshop
The traditional Chinese performing arts use a complex language of color and shape on an actors’ face to enable audiences to instantly identify a character’s social standing, personality and emotional types . This hands-on lecture demonstration introduces the history and technique of character face painting for Peking opera.
Chinese Opera Movement Workshop
The centuries-old art form of Chinese opera is still alive and vibrant today, combining song, dance, pantomime, martial arts, poetry, acrobatics, stylized costumes and make-up. Our workshops offer young students and professional performers alike a window into the heart of Chinese culture. Guided by teacher/performers with decades of classroom experience and a deep grounding in classical opera training (in China and Taiwan) these workshops help to make this “serious” art form highly approachable and fun.
