Commissioned by JACK Studio
Premiered in Manhattan, NY
Jaack is a musical puppet theatre work for the JACK Quartet. It features four quartet members (Chris, Austin, john, and Jay), four custom puppets (Chriis, Auustin, Joohn, and Jaay), video score, interactive visual arts, AI-generated images, a custom smart mirror, and structured improvisation. This project is the outcome of the composer's explorations into socio-political polarization, group polarization, fake news, conflicts, and interpersonal relationships.
Puppet:
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Four custom hand puppets
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Materials: fleece, faux fur
Credits:
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Michele Cheng: music, video score, AI images, puppets maker, puppeteer, voice over, smart mirror builder
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Simona Fitcal: interactive visual arts, animated background, images, videographer
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Hassan Estakhrian: voice over
Premiered in Cambridge, MA
Multiverse is an intermedia work with live green screen, projection, video, electronic music, puppet, and live musician. The anthropomorphic deer is a mythical figure connecting the land and water. It has a tree on top of its head and a flowy costume resembling waves of waters.
Puppet:
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A full-body size anthropomorphic deer mask puppet
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Materials: card board, paper, aluminum foil, and tapes
Credits:
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Michele Cheng: music, video, puppets maker, puppeteer
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Micah Huang: musician/improviser
Noop
Premiered in Stanford, CA
Puppet:
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A custom hand puppet
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Materials: fleece, yarn
Credits:
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Michele Cheng: puppets maker, puppeteer
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Hassan Estakhrian: musician/improviser
Prosimetrum
Prosimetrum is an organ work with livestream of live puppeteering and the organist at the organ gallery.
Puppet:
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A custom hand puppet
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Materials: fleece, faux fur
Credits:
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Michele Cheng: music, puppets maker, puppeteer
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Nathan Mondry: organist
