Wayang Kulit, also known as shadow puppetry, is a popular performance tradition in Indonesia. Participants will also learn how to manipulate shadow puppets and have the opportunity to use a traditional Javanese shadow puppet screen.

Sutrisno Hartana is a wayang kulit puppeteer, composer and arts educator. Sutrisno, who is also known as dhalang Mas Lurah Lebda Swara, will present some important elements of wayang puppets performance including puppets’ character, how to manipulate and share the story for the puppets.

The roots of wayang kulit are from India, drawing from the Hindu and Buddhist religions. Plays are based on two very popular epic stories, the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Traditional Indonesian puppets are created from water buffalo hide, and painted on both sides. The puppeteer, called a dhalang, holds the intricately carved leather puppets up against a white cloth screen in front of where he sitting, and a bright light that is burning above his head forms shadows of the puppets on the screen.

All ages welcome to this family-friendly workshop. All materials will be provided.