Have you ever wondered what happens to your shadow while you sleep? We asked Drew Petersen, artistic director and co-creator of Shadow Play, some questions about Trusty Sidekick Theater Company and its performances, especially Shadow Play, which you’ll be able to see here at The Purchase PAC on Sunday, March 10, Take a look!

Q: Who do you think seems to enjoy your performances more? Children, or their parents?
A: I think both young and older audiences enjoy this play because it seems to touch on somethings that everyone has done before like playing with your shadow and creating worlds out of cardboard boxes. I love hearing the reactions of both young and old audiences to the low tech cardboard set but also the high tech projector and animation work in the show. There is something for everyone.

Q: Where does inspiration come from for your performances?
A: That’s a tough question to answer because it is different every time and inspiration can come from so many places like a book, a painting, a piece of music, a building, and so many other things. For Shadow Play, we knew we wanted to make a show about shadows and we came up with the question ‘What happens to your shadow when you go to sleep?’ That question was exciting to us and when we first started making the show, we were playing around with small scale and large scale video and that was really fun. Inspiration feels like a bunch of small moments and not one big ‘Ah-Ha!’ moment.

Q: What is something that is important for audiences to take away from your performances?
A: We certainly hope audiences have fun and enjoy the show and their time at the theater. I think it would be wonderful if audiences left our show with more excitement and enthusiasm to see more original theater for children. So often movies or TV shows we have seen are adapted into plays and musicals so when people go to the theater they are hoping to see a live version that looks like that movie or TV show. There are so many great, original stories out there and it is so special to experience them in the live theater setting.

Q: What is the difference between Shadow Play and traditional theater for kids?
A: I bet different people would have different answers for this but here’s what I think the differences between Shadow Play and other plays for children are:

No words.
Cardboard set.
Video. Lots of Video.
Only one performer (well, my shadow is the co-star).
An original story.
We made the show with the help of 4 and 5 year olds.
Toilet Box!
Light Volleyball!
Dance Party!

Q: How do you prepare on the morning of a performance?
A: A smoothie! A stretch! A little walk (or run) around the stage! Checking all the props and set! Listening to a little music! AND COFFEE…of course, coffee!

 

Tickets to see Trusty Sidekick Theater Company’s Shadow Play are available by clicking here, or calling the Performing Arts Center box office at 914-251-6200, Wednesday-Friday from 12-6 pm.