Out of the shadows: Theatre VCU unveils years of cutting-edge collaboration

A seamless screen hangs from a rig in the Raymond Hodges Theatre-a lonely artist contemplates existence in the foreground. As hard-grooving hip-hop blasts through the auditorium, large polygons shift and dance behind him, creating shadows and recognizable figures. The giant shadow magically leaps off the screen and is suddenly projected on the ground in white light. There is no explanation, only smiles from the directors and crew.

Two and a half years in the making, Theatre VCU is ready to present its most elaborate and pioneering experiment to date-“Shadow Play.”

Well, five years in the making if you ask co-director and chair of the theatre department David Leong.

“The idea started five years ago in my head,” Leong said. “I started reaching out to people I thought I needed to execute this.”

“Shadow Play” – a surreal synthesis of art forms – is so innovative, cast members and concept designers were made to sign a confidentiality agreement in order to protect the originality of the production.

Cast member and theatre performance major Gabrielle Cauchon said the tight lid was worth keeping. She has been there since the beginning of the workshops and said she enjoyed “picking the brains” of the talented collaborators.

“This is easily the most incredible production (Theatre VCU) has ever done,” Cauchon said. “I wish I could tell you more, but I’d be doing a disservice to myself and the ensemble who has put their souls into this.”

Puppet designer Katie Fry also held true to the enemble’s mission.

“Honestly, I don’t even know what I’m allowed to talk about,” Fry said.

While details are sketchy, “Shadow Play” appears to be about a disillusioned artist, played by senior Andrew Donnelly, and his interaction with a dreamscape. His artwork comes to life as shadows that begin to play and inspire the artist into finishing his masterpiece.

According to co-director Leland Faulkner, the innovation, collaboration and secrecy have been key to the realization of the ensemble’s vision.

“It’s been really wonderful to have people share a vision and actually have the resources to make that vision come to life. That doesn’t always happen,” Faulkner said. “Having the resources is not just money but talent, the attractors, the ensemble.”

The publicity for the play alone is startling. The designers are a veritable who’s who of artistic gurus like Devon James Langston, the highly regarded professor from the kinetic imaging department, nationally renowned composer Michael Keck and internationally renowned 2-D animator Tennessee Dixon.

Faulkner said Langston’s contributions to “Shadow Play” were outstanding.

“He’s been incredible.” Faulkner said. “He put together a 3-D animation that interacts with an actor. Bringing some of those technical levels of expertise has helped a lot in putting together the technical sensibilities of the show.”

Another element of the ensemble is the inconspicuous, spandex costumes courtesy of designers Toni-Leslie James and K Stone. Because the play is so movement-based and deals with shadows, the designers were limited in materials they could use.

“K did all the heavy lifting for ‘Shadow Play.’ She’s worked really hard with the directors,” James said.

Stone admitted the techniques the directors used were a little foreign to her. Though, the comprehensive workshops made her job easier.

“I’ve never dealt with shadows before,” Stone said. “We’re using exaggerated, almost comical silhouettes. It’s always a challenge to work with three different people, but the directors have been collaborating together for a while and had the same vision, which made it a lot easier.

If the suspense isn’t killing you yet, how about the potential for an off-Broadway run? The amalgamation of dance, music, magic, puppetry, 2-D and 3-D animation, photography and sculpture is being publicized as Theatre VCU’s launch pad into bigger and brighter venues.

According to creative director Glynn Brannan, Broadway producers will be attending performances.

“We’ve made sure every element of this show, from the flier down to the tiniest puppetry details are spectacular,” Brannan said.

With such big names in the audience like the producers of “Rent” and “Stomp” and all of Richmond anticipating two and half years of development, two of the directors said the cutting-edge techniques of the show promise to boost the already well-regarded reputation of Theatre VCU.

“Our goal in this project is to use this as a springboard to bring a more professional production somewhere else like New York or Washington, D.C.,” Leong said.
Faulkner agreed.

“If I had my dream it would be to get an off-Broadway run or some other kind of light for this show once it finishes its run here. This production definitely has some legs,” Faulkner said. “It has a deep sense of magic and mystery and it’s meaningful and it’s fun and full of comedy and all those things put together make for a journey unlike anything I’ve ever worked on.”

“Shadow Play”: A vibrant fusion of animation, music, art, comedy, dance, puppetry and magic, written and directed by David S. Leong, Leland Faulkner and Gary C. Hopper, runs Nov. 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 9, 16 and 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $18 for seniors, VCU faculty and staff and $8 for VCU students. For tickets call the Theatre VCU Box Office at 828-6026.