Rogue Artists Ensemble Presents ZEN SHORTS, 8/25-8/26

After making its world premiere at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in February 2012, Rogue Artists Ensemble's production of Zen Shorts, based on Zen Shorts and Zen Ghosts by Jon J. Muth, adapted for the stage by Elizabeth Wong with Rogue Artists Ensemble and directed by Sean Cawelti and John Norbori, returns for a free two-day run at Culver City's Ivy Substation. Using their signatureHyper-theatrical style combining puppetry, music, video projections and innovative prop design, theaward-winning Rogue Artists Ensemble brings this popular book's lovable characters and beautiful storiesto life on stage.

When a giant Zen master panda named Stillwater moves into their neighborhood, Michael and Addy embark on an incredible journey. Zen Shorts is made up of three ancient stories told through projections, nearly 50 puppets and incredible multi-media effects. Intertwining Zen stories with modern day issues of technology, building friendships and growing up, Stillwater's tales are sure to strike a chord in everyone's heart.

Suitable for children 7 and up, and adults, young and old alike! This performance is made possible in part by the Culver City Performing Arts Grant Program with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Preview: Saturday August 25 at 12pm
Performance: Sunday August 26 at 12pm
Tickets: Free (donations recommended)
Reservations: online at RogueArtists.org
Where: Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90034

Rogue Artists Ensemble differs from other local theatercompanies primarily because it's run by a collective of artists and designers. The ensemble collaborates with outside companies and other artists to create "Hyper-theater," an innovative hybrid of theater traditions, puppetry and digital media that cultivates a unique audience experience. "Like other Rogue projects, Zen Shorts will include a variety of storytelling devices, humor for adults and children alike, and a story that will leave each audience member changed after experiencing such a vivid and creative theatrical experience!" says Artistic Director Sean Cawelti.Since its inception in 2001, Rogue Artists Ensemble has garnered critical acclaim, being dubbed "the most buzzed about new arrival on the Orange County theater scene" by the Los Angeles Times in 2004 and called by the OC Weekly "a genuinely imaginative and gleefully creative troupe of theater artists." Nominated by the Los Angeles Weekly for Mask Design for HYPERBOLE: epiphany and presented with a special award for "Theater Oriented Puppet Design" by the Orange County Weekly, the Rogues continue to deliver a product that piques the interest of theatergoers and non-theatergoers alike, most recently being honored with a Best Puppet Design Ovation Award and Best Comedy Ensemble LA Weekly Award Nomination for their original work D is for Dog.

Bringing Zen Shorts to life on stage is a design team that includes Christine Papalexis, Kristin CHarney and AdrIan Rose (Puppet Design), Gwyneth Conoway Bennison (Costume Design), Noelle Hoffman (sound design), Matt Hill (scenic design), Dallas Nichols (video design) and original music composed by Thu Tran and Noelle Hoffman. The cast includes Amy Judd-Lieberman, Alex Walters and others..

Zen Shorts is produced by Rogue Artists Ensemble with special permission from Scholastic Books.

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