World-renowned N.Y.-based Chinese Theater Works will be at the College of Charleston on Saturday, September 17, 2011 presenting a workshop on Chinese shadow puppetry. The workshop will be held in the room 218 of the Beatty Center from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. This event is part of Southeast Chinese Language Association Conference being held at the College.

Shadow puppetry is the earliest form of motion picture storytelling and a favorite way of telling religious stories. In China, traditions of shadow puppetry developed alongside those of the Chinese opera. The two art forms share the same repertoire of stories and have similar techniques in the way they represent the roles (male, female, “painted-face,” and clown).

Shadow puppetry requires just three things: a light source to cast a shadow; a blank white screen to catch the shadow; and a shadow figure to create an interesting shadow that can be moved with rods. Lighting and the sophistication of shadow figures have changed dramatically over the years, allowing more artistic freedom.

The Southeast Chinese Language Association Conference is being hosted by the College of Charleston’s School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs and the Chinese Program.

For more information about the shadow puppetry workshop, contact Lei Jin at 843.953.3387 or jinl@cofc.edu.