This article will definitely come in handy if you’re just starting to explore the genre of shadow theater. Useful tips will be for those who stage shadow theater performances at school or university, want to play with children in the shadows or try something new with friends. By the way, we have previously explained how to make a shadow theater at home.

When we were just starting our journey, we knew almost nothing about this genre. There were no books or manuals, and YouTube videos were very limited. Yet, in those videos, we only saw shadows on the screen. And how to start, what to take, where to stand, no word about it. Additionally, there are many different types of shadow theaters in the world. Therefore, the following highlighted rules are exclusively our experience and our vision of what is most important for working in the shadow.

On our YouTube channel of Shadow Theatre Verba, there is a video where in 8 minutes we tell you about the 5 basic rules of shadow theater and share life hacks that we use during rehearsals.

So, the main 5 rules of shadow theater.

Rule #1

The closer the object is to the light source, the larger it is. If you stand or hold an object right next to the projector (flashlight, lamp, or any other light source), it will be large, and most likely, it will not be visible on the screen at all. As you move away or move the object away from the light and approach the screen, you and the object will shrink.

Rule #2

The working area between the screen and the light source forms a triangle. “Blind spots” are created on the sides, where you can simply wait for the figure to appear or prepare props.

We work on linoleum – a working surface for convenient movement, dance exits, and rolls. Also, on the side of the screen, as we mentioned earlier, there are “blind spots” where the light from the projector does not reach, here we wait for the exit or lay out our props for work. The “blind spot” near the projector is larger and decreases as you approach the screen. For convenience, we have drawn lines on the linoleum that show how the light falls and where to stand to be seen/not seen in the shadow. Therefore, even in the dark, we can navigate the space well.

Rule #3

An object can be hidden in its own or another shadow simply by changing the angle of inclination and its position in space. The shadow allows working with the 2D and 3D planes. We can make objects narrower, and change their shape, thanks to the physical laws of light propagation. In the shadow, you can even perform tricks by hiding parts of the body or props.

Rule #4

The blind spot exists not only on the sides of the light source but also below and above it. The amount of space in the “blind spot” below the light source depends on its height. We most often install the projector at a height of 40 cm from the floor. Then there is room to lie on the linoleum so that our shadow is not visible on the screen and wait for our turn in the performance. If the projector is on the floor, this effect will be impossible.

Rule #5

The position of the props relative to the light source greatly affects the shape of the shadow it will cast. If, for example, you hold the cardboard in the center of the linoleum, to keep it in the shadow flat and undistorted, you need to hold it parallel to the screen and perpendicular to the floor, without leaning forward or backward towards the projector. If the prop is used closer to the edge of the screen, it needs to be slightly rotated.

All of the above may sound complicated and not very understandable, so we highly recommend watching the video we have prepared on our YouTube channel. Also, you can always contact us directly for advice using social networks or email. If you start experimenting and trying on your own, you will be able to quickly master all the nuances of shadow theater. Good luck with your shadow experiments!

Lina Kostenko is a poet who not only impresses the world with her depth and insight. She has become a symbol of strength, steadfastness, and devotion to her people. Her poetry is a reflection of the complex history of Ukraine, an expression of the problems of the time and, unfortunately, of today’s reality.

There were many obstacles and trials on the way to Lina Kostenko’s achievements. She survived two wars, her father’s conviction, and a ban on publishing her works. However, even in the most difficult moments, she remained true to her principles and devoted to her country. Lina Kostenko’s works are still inspiring today, they retain their power and influence on readers of different generations.

We congratulate Lina Kostenko on her birthday and want to draw the world’s attention to the problems of Ukrainian children who are trying to live a happy childhood during an unspeakably terrible war. The Verba Shadow Theater decided to combine Lina Kostenko’s work with visual content in the genre of shadow theater.

One of Lina Kostenko’s very first poems was taken as a basis: “My first poem was written in a trench”.

This poem was written by a young Lina Vasylivna when she was recalling her childhood, which was destroyed by the war.

She talks about a poem she wrote on the wall of a trench during the war, but it was destroyed by an explosion.

In the poem, she talks about how hard it is to experience loss and how sad she is to see a world full of suffering.

She says that not only does war cripple people, but the memories of it can be painful.

The poem expresses deep emotions and shows how the author opens her heart, using poetry to express the tragic truth of war and its impact on people.

Narrated by: Liliia Dukhno, radio presenter at Ukrainian Radio Chernihiv.

In these difficult times, when a peaceful life has become almost an unattainable dream, we, the collective of the shadow theater VERBA, have deeply felt the importance of art as a litmus test reflecting the spirit of the times. The first days of the full-scale invasion are hard to recall, especially because among the ruins of our dreams and memories, we search for traces of what once was our life.

Instead of going to school or playing with friends that morning, our children ran to the basement. For our children, tanks are no longer museum exhibits; they have seen them by the dozens from their own windows. Airplanes, once associated with joyful journeys, now brought paralysis and destruction. With tears in our eyes, we hastily packed our entire lives into a single suitcase…

This new, cruel world has forced us to reflect on the value of every moment and the importance of protecting our loved ones.

In response to these memories and pain, we, together with Suspilne, created the video project “Past life shadows”, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Russo-Ukrainian war and the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion. This project is our way of reminding of the unshakeable spirit, strength of will, and resilience that help us continue living in wartime conditions. We used footage that reflects the devastating consequences of the war in Chernihiv, including shelled houses and destroyed schools, and integrated them with the shadows of our actors.

In our previous project, dedicated to Independence Day, we already showed that art can be a powerful means of expressing patriotism and unity.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with Suspilne and believe that our joint projects will continue to highlight the importance of memory, respect for the past, and the necessity to fight for a better future.

Part one – Before the festival

The January Light Festival in Murten is a highly anticipated event that has been a cult favorite for years. Our team was thrilled to be invited to participate in this year’s festivities.

From January 17th to 28th, 2024, the 8th Murten Light Festival will once again captivate visitors with its incredible light shows, live performances, and futuristic light installations. Every evening from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the city transforms into a real-life fairy tale.

The first Festival of Light in Murten took place back in January 2016 and was a huge success, exceeding all expectations. A staggering 80,000 people flocked to the cozy town of about 8,200 inhabitants to witness the magical transformation of Murten into a city of lights.

So what can visitors expect from the Murten Light Festival 2024?

This year’s festival promises to be a true work of art, with 17 art venues and a total of 22 light installations. The festival will once again bring together Swiss light artists and artists from near and far abroad.

For the first time ever, the entire festival site will be framed by a harmonious setting created by professionals and volunteers from the region. The four best places in the city to experience the festival are the main square between Bernthor and the school, the German Church, the main street in the old town, and the lake shore with the harbor. These places, as well as many historic buildings or hidden romantic niches, will become temporary art venues. There will be lights and sometimes music!

Verba Shadow Theater at the Murten Light Festival 2024

One of the highlights of the festival is a shadow theater performance in the German Church of Murten. This year, our team is proud to be a part of the festival with a new and unique performance that depicts the fascinating life of a couple who met and lived a happy life in Switzerland. But the uniqueness of the performance lies not in its plot, but in the way it will be portrayed. In addition to the usual shadow theater, the performance will be enhanced by the extraordinary work of Adrian Scherzinger, the artist who created the animated interior decoration of the church. During the performance, the story will come to life not only on our screen, but also everywhere around our “stage,” on the walls, columns, arches, and ceiling.

The organizers of the festival invited our team to last year’s festival, but due to the Russian invasion to Ukraine, we were unable to prepare for the festival properly. We are very grateful to the organizers for inspiring us with their desire to show our work to the festival visitors.

In times of polarization and global uncertainty, it is very important to create and maintain strong friendships with each other. That’s why, when we performed at the Numeric Games Festival in another Swiss town last August, we invited the organizers of the Murten Light Festival to our performance. It allowed us to meet live, exchange ideas about the upcoming performance, and discuss the possibilities of future projects.

If you are in Switzerland and would like to attend our performance, you should book your ticket as soon as possible for our 15-minute performance at the German Church in Murten (CHF 10 for adults, children under 16 free, www.murtenlichtfestival.ch).

Part two – After the festival

And so, the 10 days of the festival have passed. During this time, our show was seen by 15,000 people! There were so many spectators that the organizers asked us to give 2 more shows than initially planned. Instead of 54 performances, we performed 56 times. We became real stars of the small town of Murten. After the first days of performances, people started recognizing us on the streets and greeting us. We were interviewed and approached by audience members from different corners of the world.

Hello friends! Today we would like to share with you our impressions of participating in the National Treasure of the Nation Award ceremony, which took place on November 25, 2023 at the Zhovtnevy Palace in Kyiv.

The National Treasure of the Nation Award is a charitable award aimed at supporting those who defend and selflessly work for the protection, preservation and development of Ukraine. It is a prestigious award given to individuals, families, organizations and philanthropists who contribute to the positive image and global prestige of their country and, most importantly, are an example of the struggle for the victory of Ukraine.

Our shadow theatre Verba was invited to the ceremony as a guest and we had the honor to show our performance “War in Ukraine”, which tells about the events that have been taking place in our country since 2014. This performance is our attempt to express our solidarity with the Ukrainian defenders who give their lives for our freedom and independence. Despite all the horrors of war, we also wanted to show the other side, that war is not only about weapons, blood and death, but also about love, faith and hope.

Our performance evoked strong emotions from the audience. We were very touched by this reaction and we thank everyone who supported us and our work. We would also like to thank the organizers of the Treasure of the Nation Award for the opportunity to participate in such an important event and congratulate all the winners who deserve this honor.

We believe that our artistic work can make the world a better place, and we will continue to create for the sake of Ukraine and its future. We are proud to be Ukrainians and we are the treasure of the nation!

Thank you for your attention and Glory to Ukraine!

Hey there, friends!

Let’s dive into a little story that has its fair share of magic and camaraderie. It’s a chilly November in Galway and our second journey to Ireland. But this time, our show was much more exciting and absolutely customized. Why, you ask? Well, Boston Scientific is hosting its annual Everyone Makes an Impact Event, and guess who’s there to add some sparkle? Us – the Shadow Theatre Verba!

Teaming Up with HIYA Entertainment

But wait, let me back up a bit. None of this would’ve been possible without the incredible folks at HIYA Entertainment. They’re the ones who spotted our potential and knew we’d be a perfect fit for this event. Big shoutout to them for bringing us on board!

And here’s where it gets even cooler. We didn’t just show up and perform; we got to create something special. We teamed up with James Sexton, the mastermind behind HIYA Entertainment, to write the script for our show. Talk about a dynamic duo! James brought his A-game, and together, we conjured up a shadow performance that was nothing short of spellbinding.

Our Wild Ride with Boston Scientific

So there we were, in the heart of the action, thanks to Boston Scientific and HIYA Entertainment. Boston Scientific, with their cutting-edge medical devices, and us with our shadowy storytelling, made for a match made in creative heaven.

For an entire week, we lived and breathed shadows, performing 10 times a day. Each performance was a new opportunity to awe the 5000-strong crowd from Boston Scientific. Our shadows danced, and narratives came alive, all thanks to the combined efforts of our team and James Sexton’s visionary script.

This wasn’t just another gig; it was a tailor-made experience crafted to resonate with every soul at the event.

Karen O’Donovan’s Shoutout

The event so moved Karen O’Donovan from Boston Scientific, she shared her experience on LinkedIn. From climbing virtual mountains to being captivated by our shadows, she saw it all. And her praise for our performance? Well, that was the cherry on top!

The Grand Finale

As the curtain fell, it wasn’t just the end of an event; it was the culmination of an incredible journey. Our partnership with Boston Scientific and HIYA Entertainment showed the world how art and innovation can create unforgettable experiences. We left Galway with our hearts full and our spirits high, already dreaming of our next magical collaboration.

There you have it! A tale of shadows, innovation, and the wonderful people who make it all happen. Here’s to many more adventures where we bring stories to life in the most unexpected, shadowy ways!