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In-Person and Virtual Programs
Firelight has recently presented programs for communities in California, Canada, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Contact us to book YOUR community over the coming year!
In-Person and Virtual Assemblies
Shadow puppetry is an age-old art form that features the shadows of two-dimensional puppets cast upon a backlit screen. With its bold shapes and dynamic movement, it’s a magical medium that’s perfectly suited to bring best-loved stories to life for young audiences.
Firelight Shadow Theater is now offering both in-person and virtual (live and pre-recorded) assembly programs. Each assembly features a mixture of interactive segments interspersed with versions of shadow theater performances. Best of all, at the end of each assembly, Daniel provides a step-by-step demonstration for creating shadow puppets from scratch, as well as free online access to downloadable puppet templates and scripts.
There are two assemblies currently available, one for the preschool set, and one for school-age children. Descriptions and outlines below. Booking now—inquire soon for best availability!
Assembly Programs Overview
Assembly Programs Overview
“Me and My Shadow"
In-Person or Virtual Assembly
(Ages 2-4, 30 minutes)
Introduce your little ones to the magical world of shadow puppetry with Daniel Barash of Firelight Shadow Theater. In this program, after first introducing youngsters to the wonder of shadow puppetry, Daniel will share five shadow puppetry versions of best-loved nursery rhymes. At the end of the assembly, Daniel will teach audience members how to create shadow puppets and a shadow screen from scratch, and provide free online access to puppet templates and a nursery rhyme script, so families can continue the fun at home. Live programs will also include an optional Q and A with the artist. See you in the land of shadows!
*If multiple institutions within a system are purchasing the same program slot together, slightly higher fees may be explored. Alternatively, discounts may be offered for multiple, unique bookings within a system. Let's discuss!
"Me and My Shadow" Overview
"The Itsy-Bitsy Spider"
“Spin Me a Shadow, Tell Me a Tale"
In-Person or Virtual Assembly
(Grades K-5, 30-40 minutes)
Discover the magical world of shadow puppetry with Daniel Barash of Firelight Shadow Theater. In this program, after first introducing audience members to the art of shadow puppetry (including numerous puppets from Southeast Asia), Daniel will share five fast-paced shadow puppetry versions of best-loved folktales from around the world. At the end of the assembly, Daniel will teach audience members how to create shadow puppets from scratch, and provide free online access to puppet templates and a story script, so families can continue the fun at home. Live programs will also include an optional Q and A with the artist. See you in the land of shadows!
*If multiple libraries within a system are purchasing the same program slot together, slightly higher fees may be explored. Alternatively, discounts may be offered for multiple, unique bookings within a system. Let's discuss!
"Spin Me A Shadow,Tell Me a Tale" Overview
"Gecko"
Workshops, Residencies & Special Events
With over 20 years sharing shadow theater in classrooms around the country, Firelight’s Creative Director Daniel Barash is now offering both virtual and in-person workshops, residencies and special events that are perfect for families, schools, libraries, rec centers, scouts, and even special events.
Make shadow puppets, learn performance techniques, rehearse behind the shadow screen, dim the lights, and share your performances!
A workshop is one session, while a residency unfolds over a multi-session schedule.
Multi-session residencies allow students to delve deeper into the worlds of both shadow puppetry and curricular content. Modeled on an Arts Integration approach to teaching and learning, participants first practice shadow theater techniques, which they then use to create performances that demonstrate their understanding of specific curricular content.
Part 1: Daniel will introduce the history and art of shadow puppetry to the class, including foundational shadow theater techniques.
Part 2: Daniel will help students create shadow puppets that can be used to explore a pre-determined curricular area that students are learning about in class.
Part 3: Daniel will introduce the rehearsal process to students so that they can bring this curricular area “to life” behind the shadow screen.
Part 4: Daniel will facilitate small-group rehearsals, helping students to practice their shadow puppetry presentations.
Part 5: Daniel will facilitate in-class sharing of student performances, and then brainstorm with students other areas of the curriculum that could be explored using shadow puppetry.
As shadow puppetry is a highly accessible art-form that appeals to both teachers and students, it is very likely that this “taste of shadow puppetry” will lead to many more explorations long after the formal mini-residencies have concluded.
Workshops, Residencies, & Special Events
"Making Puppets"
"Behind the Screen"
"The Rehearsal Process"
"Gecko"
Professional Development
Daniel Barash, Director of Firelight Shadow Theater, has been a Kennedy Center Teaching Artist since 2010. In this capacity, he has traveled throughout the country training educators how to use this magical medium with their learning communities. Currently a National Consultant with Focus 5, Inc., a leader in the field of Arts Integration, he conducts in-person and virtual Professional Development workshops for individuals and groups. Contact Daniel to discuss trainings in your community!
Professional Development Offerings
