Theatre and dance and global media and digital studies major presents interactive shadow puppet Independent Study performance

Lily Bulman ’25, a senior majoring in theatre & dance and global media & digital studies, will present her Independent Study production, Reflected Desires: An Immersive Myth Sept. 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. The production will take place in the Wise Studio, located in Wishart Hall (303 E. University Street).

Advised by Naoko Skala, assistant professor and department chair of theatre and dance, and Ahmet Atay, professor of communication studies and department chair of global media and digital studies, Reflected Desires is an immersive shadow puppet show based on the myth of Narcissus and Echo. The puppets and the design elements were pre-recorded and will be projected on the walls of the performance studio. The studio will include four sets and four projectors, as well as a wall covered with mirrors, emphasizing the theme of reflection. Audiences will be able to walk around and interact with the set during the performance, allowing them to choose what elements of the design they wish to focus on during the projected performance.  

The type of interactive production that Bulman chose to focus on is a relatively new form of theatre. “I learned about the art form when I studied abroad in London, England. I was able to see two productions, one in London and the second in New York City, and I wanted to bring what I have learned to Wooster,” Bulman explained. “I also really wanted to highlight designers in theatre, because their work is usually unseen because they are not the performers or the director.” Bulman also created a blog where she documented the process of creating the show and the different techniques and technology she used.  

Other students involved in the production include stage manager, Leo Daoud ’26, lighting and scenic designer Atlas Dwyer ’25, fabric and scenic designer Laurel Andrews ’25, and sound designer Liam Terrien ’25.  

The performance is free and open to the public, with an approximate runtime of 40 minutes. The performance contains harsh lighting and intense scenes that may be unsuitable for some viewers. Tickets can be reserved at wooster.edu/snippet/tickets.  

Posted in Homepage Featured, Independent Study, News on September 18, 2024.