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Production Footage

Wiley and the Hairy Man

 

Wiley and the Hairy Man is a compelling adaptation of an American Southern folk tale, originally passed down as an oral tradition among enslaved African Americans. Adapted for the stage by Suzan Zeder, the play tells the story of Wiley, a young boy tasked with venturing into the swamp to build a hound house for his dog. Haunted by the fear that the legendary Hairy Man is lurking nearby, Wiley must confront his fears in a suspenseful and imaginative journey.

The production reimagines the storytelling experience through an innovative use of shadow theater. The stage proscenium is transformed into a large shadow screen, where the action unfolds behind a luminous backlit scrim. The three principal actors take on the roles of live shadow puppets, donning intricately crafted headpieces that evoke the stylized faces of traditional Indian stick puppets. Their movements, synchronized with the narrative, create a visually mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow. Complementing the live actors are shadow puppets and moving scenery, meticulously crafted from poster board and organic materials, bringing an ethereal, hand-hewn quality to the swampy world of the story.

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