Weekly Schedule
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 ALL ABOUT US | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Once upon a time,
way back in the idealistic 1960's, a children's puppet theatre was born.
It was the brainchild of an extraordinary woman, Sandra Robbins, who
For over three decades, this remarkable children's service organization has sustained and built upon her dream. The multi-ethnic troupe and their musical puppet plays have brought love, laughter, joy and affirmation to over two million children. Today, SBT is recognized as one of New York City's major arts resources. It is an award-winning non-profit repertory company dedicated to providing relevant, top-quality children's entertainment.
SBT's multi-sensory productions have a strong and immediate audio-visual impact on their young audiences, but their ultimate purpose is far-reaching. Children's theatre is more than a dynamic art form - it is a powerful educational tool. Through their synthesis of live interactive theatre, puppetry, song and dance, The Shadow Box Theatre:
The Shadow Box Theatre's musical puppet shows are a unique blend of puppet and live multi-media theatre. Original scripts unfold, combining the energy of the talented performers with joyous singing, spirited dancing, extensive audience participation, and the special magic of puppetry. The puppets take on a life of their own: hand puppets, rod puppets, body puppets and - especially - Shadow Box's own re-creation of the ancient Asian art of shadow puppetry. The Storyteller and puppet friend See-More set the stage. The curtain opens, and a picture book comes to life. Brilliantly colored shadow puppets move magically across the stage... comical hand puppets evoke gales of laughter... dancers and singers invite the audience into the story. The hall is filled with joyous sounds of childhood.
Here is an overview of some of our repertoire of 21 productions of children's puppet musicals from which we choose our performing seasons: THE EARTH AND ME
(Hand in Hand) - A Celebration of the Earth
Shadow Box casts
begin with a key ensemble that has been with the company for many years.
This includes actors, musicians, puppeteers, and choreographers who have
become part of the SBT family. Each year, auditions are held for
additional talented and enthusiastic actor/singer/dancers. While
puppetry experience is a great plus, it's a skill we are prepared to
teach. But of primary concern are some special qualities we look for in
our performers. We strive to build a multi-ethnic ensemble, because we
think it's important for the children in our audiences to look up
onstage and see people they can identify with as role models. We also
look for performers who have a special interest in working with
children. It takes a unique kind of talent to hold the attention of,
charm, and enchant a theatre full of young children. Even after the
show, our Our storytelling artists and workshop leaders also include people who have been with SBT for years, although we are always on the lookout for new talent in these areas as well. The ability to reach out creatively to children is of course an essential quality in all these individuals, as is experience in working in the NYC school system. In addition, these talented artists include singers and musicians who perform gigs and record with jazz ensembles and other groups in the U.S. and abroad, and actors and puppeteers who regularly perform with some of the cutting-edge, downtown theatre companies of NYC. Also part of the SBT family is our administrative staff -- managing director, administrator, and administrative assistant -- who are available in the SBT offices to answer questions about all our programs.
See-More is SBT's
hallmark puppet character. He appears in every main stage show, and
represents each youngster in the audience. Like a child in its parent's
lap, See-More observes and participates. He is held securely in the
Storyteller's arms, creating an intimate and safe space where he
embodies the universal wonder of childhood. When the children leave the
theatre after the show, they often hug and kiss him goodbye.
The first thing a theatre needs is a place to perform. For many years SBT was happily home-based in community centers and public schools in Harlem and other Manhattan neighborhoods. Still, we often wished for the stability of space of our own. Then, in 1989, SBT found a home in the landmark Memorial Hall of the YWCA of Brooklyn. We remained there through 2006, when they closed their doors for a major renovation. Recognizing our mutual interest in community service, in 2008 we have now found a new home theatre in The Theatres at 45 Bleecker Street. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home! Thank you to all the various schools and community centers that understood our mission and gave us a home:
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dreamed of using light, color and sound to profoundly touch the
creative self within each child. Her dream was realized in The Shadow
Box Theatre. 
casts remains "on," as they come down from the
stage and mingle and interact with the children. One of our shows
actually includes a child in a key role -- a 9 or 10 year old girl or
boy who plays the title role of "Me" in "The Earth & Me," the child
to whom the Earth tells its story.
Peek in on a Shadow Box Theatre audience and you'll see
something like a kid's United Nations, a cross-section of the City's
diverse populations. SBT's school shows, with low group ticket rates and
convenient weekday schedules, provide a stimulating creative experience
for inner city pre-school and elementary children. The interactive
nature of the shows allows them to participate regardless of functional
level. Elementary, special education, ESL and family audiences alike
respond to the vivid sights and sounds of an SBT performance. Because of
this direct involvement, Shadow Box Theatre shows have become cherished
landmarks in the imaginative lives of their young audiences. Family
weekend performances 
afford an unparalleled opportunity for cross-cultural exchange,
drawing a faithful following from the immediate neighborhood and the
extended metropolitan area. Three generations of young television
viewers have seen SBT segments on Mr. Roger's Neighborhood,
Romper Room and Vegetable Soup. Shadow Box audiences
continue to share their enthusiasm with classmates, friends and family
long after the show is over. The impact on one child who sat in the
audience years ago was so long-lasting that he went on later to become
an SBT performer.
