Throughout the years, a variety of artists and performers from around the world have collaborated with Sun & Moon Ensemble in different aspects of the productions.
The masks and puppets used in the productions are artworks in themselves, and
include handcrafted masks of wood, leather and papier maché from various
corners of the globe. The large puppets are designed and often created by Maria
Lexa.
Sun & Moon Ensemble is available to present indoor and outdoor performances
and processions at theatres, festivals, schools, street fairs, and other events. We
also teach workshops in theatre arts for professionals, amateurs, and youth.
For information on hiring or working with Sun & Moon Ensemble,
please contact
the Artistic Director, Maria Lexa, at +1 415 282 4331 or at sunxmoon.lexa@gmail.com
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Sun & Moon Ensemble
Staff and Collaborators
Founded in San Francisco in 2001, Sun & Moon Ensemble is an international
performing arts company, whose productions feature theatre, dance, large
puppets, masked characters, comedy, and live music. Sun & Moon Ensemble
presents processions and outdoor shows for audiences of all ages and
backgrounds, and has appeared at many open-air festivals, street fairs, schools,
and community events. The company also creates indoor performances from
original manuscripts, and these productions have been presented at theatres in
the Bay Area and abroad.
The group’s founder and artistic director, Maria Lexa, directs performances,
teaches theatre workshops, and participates in collaborations with other theatre
groups, arts projects, festivals, and educational institutions.
Sun & Moon Ensemble’s performances are based on physical expression with
well-trained performers, strong visual images, and a blending of drama, poetry
and humor. Performing in masks and 10 ft. tall puppets is a distinctive branch
within physical theatre, requiring special performing techniques. This theatre form
has deep roots in folk art, myths, and rituals from cultures around the world, such
as Africa, Bali, Mexico, Greenland, Belgium, Greece, and Italy. At the same time,
it connects to a contemporary wave of interest in improvisation, carnival, and
street theatre. It is a theatre form which creates a unique kind of magic.
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Artistic director
Maria Lexa
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Musicians
Aharon Bolsta, Pedro Gomez, Ramani Narayan, Orlando Obligacion,
Jason Rajit Parmar, Zack Pitt-Smith, Soul Salaam, Eliyahu Sills, Tracy Tree |
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Lighting design
Allen Willner
Financial consultant
Kristen Anderson |
Photos
John Spicer
Video production
Frederik Led Behrend, Niki Lexa,
Ivana Lexa-French,
Lee Talkington, Domingo Vazquez |
Web design
Domingo Vazquez,
Asger Bruun |
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Masks
Ida Bagus Anom, Kadek Astama,
Kirsten Gitz-Johansen, Jens Kirkedal Jensen, Eva Klinting, Maria Lexa, Ketut Molog, Made Regug, Donato Sartori, Nyoman Setiawan, Made Sutiarka, Christina Shonkwiler, Claus Tams, Wayan Tangguh |
Costumes and puppets
Lisa Bønæs, Janine Chavy, Hanne Christensen, Dea Sten Hansen, Laura Hazlett, Jytte Jensen, Sidsel Kirketerp, Kelley Ledden, Maria Lexa, Eri Neja, Lindsey Peck Scherloum, Michael Schmelter |
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Former collaborators with Sun & Moon Ensemble
include:
Adam Venker, Alison Ross, Ann Marie Falge, Anna-Brown Griswold,
Antonio Sausys, Bridget Barsotti, Cara Goldstein, Chris Loar, David
Abad, Davina Cohen, Dietmar Brinkman, Heather Pennington, Helga
Rosenfeldt, Israel Jimenez, Joanna Meinl, Jonathan Whittle, Julia
Baldassari, Juan Carlos de la Rosa, Kat Danielson, Kristin Neidlinger,
Krystal MacKnight, Lep Kan,Mara Niemanis, Melusina Del Mar, Michael
Kelly, Michael Schmelter, Morgan Murphey, Natasha Kaluza & Jamie
Coventry, Nathan Holguin, Nicole Helfer, Randall Wright, Sandra
Risser, Stacey Cobalt, Steve Eslami, Tina Huang, Venus Garcia, Wes
Fredenburg, Nathan Holguin, Will Howard, Harveyn Rabbit, Maya Norman, Aharon Bolsta, Eliyahu Sills, Soul Salaam, Tracy Tree,
Zack Pitt-Smith
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