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 EDUCATION
Puppetry is a unique art form. It serves as a theatrical medium, and has endless potential
for artistic expression to people of all ages and backgrounds. Both Eastern and Western puppetry have
started to influence each other in contemporary theater and performing arts.
Hua Hua's Visual Expressions is committed to using puppetry to share Chinese culture,
Chinese folk art, Chinese stylized performance and Chinese puppet theater with students
who are interested in learning about this art form.
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MASTER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Classes and workshops for qualified participants are offered in Chinese stylized
movement; Chinese rod puppet manipulation; long sleeve dancing with Chinese rod puppets; dragon dancing
and Wu Da (Chinese stage combat for humans and rod puppets). These classes and workshops are individually
designed for university students as well as professional and experienced puppeteers.
Visual Expressions also offers workshops for dancers, actors, visual artists, composers and musicians who
would like to use puppets in their projects and want to learn puppet manipulation techniques and how to perform
with puppets. We focus on training performers how to move gracefully with puppets including focusing on
the relationship between performer and puppet.
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SCHOOL RESIDENCY PORGRAMS
The goal for Visual Expressions' art in education programs is to share Chinese culture, art and theater; to inspire
students and let them know everyone has potential for creating art. Students will open their minds and use their
imagination in creative ways. Our residency programs focus on the learning process rather than the final presentation.
The Shadow Mask residency program is designed for students in fifth grade and above. It is requires a large classroom which will
need to be darkened for performance. Students will explore contemporary Shadow Mask Theater. For the Elementary and Middle
school program, we will adapt the famous Chinese novel, Journey to the West, to create a show called Monkey King's Adventure.
For High school and University programs, students will learn the stylized Chinese shadow design. They will both draw/paint shadow
masks on paper and create one mask as a show mask. Students will use their shadow mask to create a scene based upon a
Chinese poem, Chinese prose or a story of their own choosing. This project is multifaceted. Students will learn some Chinese
literature, culture, language and writing. They will design and make a shadow mask. They will learn how to design and create scenery
with two overhead projectors. Students will participate in a performance with masks on a large shadow screen (12 ft wide x 10 ft high).
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The Chinese Dragon residency program
is designed for students from first grade to 4th grade. This project focuses on introduction of Chinese culture and folk art. Students will study the mythology
of Chinese dragons and their origin. They will be able to create dragons in different ways. They will learn Chinese calligraphy for the word "dragon,"
draw dragons and sculpt dragons. They will make dragon lanterns and they will make a small shadow dragon to perform on the shadow screen.
Students will create a large festival dragon and dance with it. Students will also learn cooperation when they work as a group to perform the Dragon Dance.
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