Event: Lights, Shadow, Action!
Date and times: May 2nd 10am - 4pm
Bluewave Center
1400 Main Street Follansbee, WV 26037
Cost per person: FREE!
In-person Drop In Event
Is your family ready to bring a story to life? Step into our creative studio for a cinematic adventure where your family becomes the designer, puppeteer, and film crew! In this unique, hands-on workshop, you’ll embark on a creative journey from inspiration to final cut, learning the playful art of shadow puppetry. Follow our studio pathway to create, perform, and take home a magical movie keepsake—all in about an hour!
Your Pathway to Stardom:
INSPIRE: Your creative journey begins in our screening lounge. Settle in for a brief, dazzling video showcasing the magic of shadow puppetry across cultures and time. Watch captivating silhouettes dance, demonstrating how light and simple shapes can tell epic tales. Let the visuals spark your creative juices and prepare you for the fun ahead.
EXPLORE: Next, head to our discovery zone. Here, it’s pure, guided play! Get your hands on a collection of pre-made puppets and experiment behind a real screen. Move the puppets closer and farther from the light, twist their joints, and see how a simple gesture can express surprise, joy, or suspense. This is your chance to figure out the magic of the medium—no instructions needed, just curiosity.
PLAN & CREATE: Now, the collaboration begins! Gather around a designer’s table to choose your story. We provide several simple, engaging scripts perfect for a 30-second masterpiece. Will you tell a tale of a clever rabbit’s great escape, or a quest to return the lost moon to the sky? Once you’ve picked your plot, it’s time to build your cast. Using our easy-to-assemble templates, sturdy card stock, and simple tools, construct your puppet characters together. As you build, plan your performance: who will narrate? Who will bring the puppets to life?
PERFORM: This is it—lights, shadow, action! Take your puppets and your plan to our professional filming station. Step behind the screen, position your bright studio light, and watch your silhouettes appear. It takes a team to pull off a masterpiece, but don’t worry about perfection—the joy is in the shared creation! Hit record and perform your story together. In just one take, you’ll capture your unique family film.
The Grand Finale: You won’t leave empty-handed! Each family will receive a digital copy of their very own short film—a personalized treasure to share with friends and family for years to come. You’ll also get to take home the puppets you built, so the storytelling can continue long after the studio lights dim.
This is a free, drop-in event designed for families of all shapes and sizes. No prior experience in film or puppetry is needed—just a willingness to play, create, and collaborate. Come for a few minutes of inspiration or stay for the full creative cycle. Join us for Lights, Shadow, Action! and bring your family’s story to light.