Events
The Empress Re-Imagined
Joyous open house celebration will be a first peek at Chinatown’s iconic Empress of China building, newly acquired by the Chinatown Media & Arts Collaborative.
Roxie Screening of Larry Reed: A Life in Light and Shadow
Runtime: 1:29:30
Join us at the Roxie Theater for a special screening honoring the life and work of Larry Reed (1944–2026), master of Balinese shadow theater, theater and film director, and founder of ShadowLight Productions.
Drawn from a career spanning more than five decades, the works in this program offer just a glimpse of the breadth of Larry’s artistic life. His practice began with a deep immersion in Balinese wayang, which he studied for years before translating and performing traditional shadow plays for American audiences. Through ShadowLight Productions, he went on to develop cinematic shadow theater, bringing actors, puppets, projected imagery, music, and large-scale shadows together in a form for which the company became internationally renowned. Larry remained a deeply experimental artist throughout his life, continually pushing the possibilities of shadow theater and finding new ways for it to meet theater, film, and other visual forms. The three works presented here trace a small part of that trajectory, from his early years in Bali to one of his final experiments with the form.
Shadow Master
Filmed in Bali in 1979 by Larry Reed and the late San Francisco cinematographer and director John Knoop, Shadow Master is a dramatic documentary about the family of I Nyoman Rajeg, the dalang with whom Larry lived and studied for two years. Told from the perspective of Rajeg’s daughter Suartini and performed by members of the family, the film grew out of their lives and experiences during the filming process. Made before mass tourism transformed Bali, Shadow Master offers an intimate portrait of the family and community in which Larry immersed himself as a young artist and student of Balinese shadow theater.
Ghosts of the River
We will show excerpts from Ghosts of the River, ShadowLight’s 2009 cinematic shadow theater production created with acclaimed playwright Octavio Solis. Combining live actors, shadow puppetry, projected imagery, and music, the bilingual work tells stories of people whose lives have intersected with the Rio Grande across generations—from refugees of the Mexican Revolution and families making the dangerous border crossing to Border Patrol agents confronting questions of immigration and conscience. Directed by Larry Reed, with art direction by Favianna Rodriguez, music by Cascada de Flores, and shadow design by I Made Moja.
In His Own Words: An Invocation
Larry’s final film project, In His Own Words: An Invocation, was created by ShadowLight in 2024 and inspired by the early life of Marc Chagall and his surreal autobiography, Mein Leben. Working with art director Naomie Kremer, Larry created a world of puppets, shadows, layered imagery, and animation that brings Chagall’s words and recollections of his childhood to life. The film reflects the experimental spirit that remained central to Larry’s practice, as he continued to push his own work and the possibilities of shadow theater in new directions. We invite those who knew Larry and his work, as well as those encountering it for the first time, to join us in celebrating an artist whose imagination transformed the possibilities of shadow theater. To see more of Larry Reed’s work and the work of ShadowLight Productions, please visit shadowlight.org.
New Farm Film Series: Screening In His Own Words: An Invocation (2025)
Visit the New Farm on Friday, June 26th, from 5-10 PM to enjoy a selection of short films, including ShadowLight’s In His Own Words: An Invocation (2025). The evening will screen films by Kara Herold, William Farley, Jarico Reese, hopefully Peter McCandless, and Anne Hamersky.
Earth Paper Cut: A Shadow Play & Hands-On Puppet Building Workshop
Created and performed by ShadowLight's Jess Nguyen, Earth Paper Cut is a youth-scripted, surreal story translated into a shadow show: Earth Paper Cut follows two children navigating the moral quandaries around staying or leaving their planet behind at the end of the world as we know it.
This performance will be followed by a guided exploration of transforming a story into a shadow play and a puppet building workshop.
“The Odyssey in Shadow” by Lydia Greer & Caryl Kientz
The Department of Theatre and Dance will present The Odyssey in Shadow, a large-scale cinematic shadow theater experience inspired by the ancient epic The Odyssey. The production will perform at the end of spring quarter 2026 in the Arena Theatre, Wright Hall.
Opening of Becoming Modern: U.S. Puppetry in the Twentieth Century
The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry will present the grand opening of its new exhibition Becoming Modern: U.S. Puppetry in the Twentieth Century on Thursday, March 26 with refreshments served at 5 p.m., and a free tour at 5:30 p.m. The tour will also be streamed on Ballard Institute’s Facebook Live.
“Monkey King” Workshops: The Art of Puppetry
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.
Ghosts of the River: Film Screening & Artist Talk
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.
🎥 🎞️ "In His Own Words: An Invocation" (2025) Short Film Premiere 🎞️ 🎥
In His Own Words: An Invocation is a visually rich short film that reimagines the formative years of painter Marc Chagall. Inspired by his autobiography Mein Leben, the film traces his journey from a Jewish shtetl childhood to the emergence of his visionary artistic style.
"Shadows for Carlos Villa" Short Film Screening at SFMOMAxSMARTBOMB: Waves of Knowing
🎥 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.
7 Visions of Encarnacion: Shadow Theater Film, Artist Talk, Live Music
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!
Arjuna's Meditation Wayang by Larry Reed at Bindestiff Studio
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" Avant première screening at the Love Lives in SF 2025 Film
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.
Arjuna's Meditation Wayang by Larry Reed
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.
SLxRPAH Lunar New Year Shadow Play Workshop
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.
Native American Heritage Month 2024
For the month of November, stream Coyote’s Journey (2001) and 7 Visions (2002) FREE with promo code NAHM24 on Vimeo. Click the link in our bio to start watching now!
Coyote’s Journey (2001)
In the Karuk language, the word for shadow is the same as the word for spirit.
SLxRPAH: ARTogether Presents: Shadow Movements
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!
Odd Savvy: The Ground - ShadowLight residency at Red Poppy Art House
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.
ShadowLight at Red Poppy Art House: Lydia Greer
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.
ShadowLight at Red Poppy Art House: The Butterfly Effect by Jessica Nguyen
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.
Lunar New Year Show at Red Poppy Art House
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.