Join us for Free First Sunday and step into a colorful world of puppets, crafting, and creativity inspired by the San Francisco Opera’s upcoming world premiere production of “The Monkey King.” No experience necessary — just bring your imagination.

Presented in partnership with the SF Opera’s Department of Engagement and Connectivity.

ShadowLight Productions presents Ghosts of the River (2009), a film adaptation of the cinematic shadow theater production written by Octavio Solís about the US-Mexico border.

🎥 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 | 7:15–9 PM @ SFMOMA
“Shadows for Carlos Villa” (2020) Film Screening + Live A/V Performance
Immerse yourself in this short cinematic portrait of Filipino artist, Carlos Villa, as part of the EVERY POINT TELLS A STORY short film festival, presented by💡💣 SMARTBOMB x SFMOMA for their Waves Of Knowing series. Tickets are free for Bay Area residents after 4PM. Visit sfmoma.org for details.

Shadow Theater Meets Día de los Muertos

Join us at Red Poppy Art House for a special screening of “7 Visions of Encarnacion” (2002), followed by an artist talk and Día de los Muertos-inspired live music!

Join us at Bindlestiff Studio, San Francisco (May 9) for an evening of mesmerizing storytelling through the art of shadow theater, Wayang Bali, by shadow master (dalang) Larry Reed. Experience the ancient tradition of Balinese shadow puppetry as Reed brings to life the epic tale of Arjuna's Meditation accompanied by a live gamelan gender wayang. Let yourself be transported to a world of magic, myth, and shadows in this unique in-person event.

Chagall in His Own Words: An Invocation has been selected to screen at the Love Lives in San Francisco 2025 Film Festival during its inaugural year!

Love Lives in SF Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating the heart, resilience, and vibrant spirit of our beloved city. In its inaugural year, this festival seeks to shine a light on the diverse stories and voices that build our intersecting communities. By showcasing short films that capture San Francisco's unique charm, we aim to rekindle a sense of belonging and curiosity amidst our differences.

Join us at free event at Wu Performance Hall, UC Berkeley (April 18) and sliding-scale event Bindlestiff Studio, San Francisco (May 9)* for an evening of mesmerizing storytelling through the art of shadow theater, Wayang Bali, by shadow master (dalang) Larry Reed. Experience the ancient tradition of Balinese shadow puppetry as Reed brings to life the epic tale of Arjuna's Meditation accompanied by a live gamelan gender wayang. Let yourself be transported to a world of magic, myth, and shadows in this unique in-person event.

Lunar New Year Shadow Play Workshop

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with an enchanting and interactive Shadow Play Workshop hosted at the cozy and creative Red Poppy Art House. This free event invites children, families, and community members to dive into the magical world of shadow puppetry. Together, we will explore the art of storytelling and puppet-making, culminating in a collaborative shadow theater performance.

Live shadow play animation film presentations followed by a hands-on workshop

“Shadow Movements” is an ARTogether youth workshop series for newcomers, diaspora, and refugees, that blends traditional shadow puppetry with animation. An intersectional cohort of youth explored themes of home remedies, emotions, and heroes/villains through poetry, shadow puppetry, and animation.

At Red Poppy Art House, a few members of this youth cohort will screen their final films, talk about the impact of arts on newcomer and diaspora communities, and lead a workshop teaching audience members how to animate shadow puppetry with stop motion animation!

Join us for our monthly ShadowLight program at Red Poppy Art House with Odd Savvy’s performance of “The Ground”!

Odd Savvy’s “The Ground” will feature shadow puppetry and movement performance elements. Come out and get a sneak peek at a brand new show being built for premiere this August. Fred C Riley III will present a short excerpt from his upcoming production, “The Ground.” Afterward, he will walk the audience through the process of creating the work.

Join us for our monthly ShadowLight program at Red Poppy Art House with Lydia Greer’s performance of Facing West Shadows: The Endless End!

Lydia Greer will demonstrate a short segment of the extended cinema performance version of Facing West Shadows: The Endless End, demonstrating shadow and mirror puppetry (phantasmagoria) and guiding audiences to create their own shadow puppets inspired by the local Bay Area natural world.

Join us for our monthly ShadowLight program at Red Poppy Art House with Jessica Nguyen’s performance of The Butterfly Effect!

The Butterfly Effect is a collection of shadow puppet ponderings on the magnificent local insects found in the Bay Area with a nod to our relationships to these local and endangered species. This is a short shadow play performance created and performed by visual artist and part-time entomologist, Jessica Nguyen. Sponsored by ShadowLight Productions and Red Poppy Art House. Following the performance, Jessica will talk about some of our Bay Area insects and their habitats. A hands-on insect shadow puppet-making workshop will follow the performance.

ShadowLight teaching artists Jessica Nguyen and Fred C. Riley III will perform a short shadow puppet play about the Lunar New Year. After the performance, take a tour backstage, learn about how to transform a children's story into a shadow play and make your own dragon puppet. (templates and other supplies provided).

This program is a part of ShadowLight artists in residence at Red Poppy Art House, a Free Monthly program with hands-on workshop activities for families.