Artist
Anthony Gaskins, Shadow Box Collective

Project Title
SkunkApe

Grant Amount
$800

Website
https://www.shadowboxcollective.net/

Project Description

SkunkApe will be an experimental puppet production about The Southeast’s own stinky Bigfoot and a duo of hunters in their fruitless attempts to trap and profit from the friendly mythical creature. The fable will illustrate in color the diverse flora and fauna of the Everglades and the importance humans have in protecting the largest subtropical wilderness in the US. Shadow Box Collective's aim is to make the story funny and lighthearted while being informative about environmental crises, gender equality (SkunkApes are magical creatures that change gender whenever they want), and generally just caring and looking out for one another. The production will include 2d and 3d elements in the storytelling utilizing a Crankie Box, shadow puppets, and marionettes. Shadow Box wants to experiment with color gels and transparencies to find a creative and unique way to add color to our shadow puppetry and also experiment with the theatrical and performative aspects of successfully switching between marionettes and shadow puppets during our show. Lastly, the design for the Crankie Box and mid sized marionettes (3’-4’ tall) will be light weight and collapsible to be able to easily transport them while remaining large enough to put on an 80-100 person show. 

Over the past year members of Shadow Box Collective have been touring with a shadow crankie show titled- Lupita's Revenge. That production has a 5' wide metal crankie box with steel stand. The show operates with three puppeteers who are accompanied by a five pieces tango band. Shadow Box Collective are looking for funding to help improve the foundations they learned with Lupita's Revenge while making the production more travel ready, visually exciting, and able to consume their full attention.