ChelseaDee Harrison is a theater-maker, “artivist”, teaching artist, and public arts engagement specialist from Washington, DC. Currently developing her project entitled Sheela & The Amazons with the support of Puppet Showplace’s Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers, ChelseaDee recently shared a few of her thoughts about the program:
Shadow puppets in an excerpt from “Sheela & The Amazons” concept video by ChelseaDee Harrison
Puppet Showplace: Can you describe your project in a few sentences?
ChelseaDee Harrison: For the Creative Residency I am continuing the development of my theater for young audiences play Sheela & The Amazons. I am focussing on developing the shadow puppetry element of the play. Using flashlights and cardstock, the wearable shadow puppets are designed to evoke the wonder of primordial storytelling. Let’s gather around the fire while the shadows, like archaeologists, unearth and immerse the audience in the wisdom of ancient matrilineal societies.
Shadow puppets in an excerpt from “Sheela & The Amazons” concept video by ChelseaDee Harrison
Puppet Showplace: What inspired (or is inspiring) the work you are creating during your Creative Residency?
ChelseaDee Harrison: I’m constantly inspired (and haunted) by my script for Sheela & The Amazons. I’m a bit of a history nerd, so bringing archival information to life through theater is my jam. Bringing history to the forefront to understand who we are is one of the main themes of the play. Currently, I am inspired by the recent “D.E.I. bans” and Executive Orders issued by President Trump to freeze federal funding for scientific research that uses terms like “identity”, “Black”, “female”, or “gay” in their research — regardless of context or meaning. I believe this intentional strategy of silencing or obscuring history in order to disempower people must be confronted and interrupted. The Creative Residency is inspiring me to interrupt the silencing of history through storytelling and shadow theater.
Shadow puppets-in-progress developed for “Sheela & The Amazons” by ChelseaDee Harrison
Puppet Showplace: Can you give us some examples of history you are inspired by?
ChelseaDee Harrison: When I think about “history coming to the forefront” I’m thinking about the rich lessons that can be learned from the shadowy places, the times we may not want to remember. In my work in general, I am inspired by the history of the antebellum South, American chattel slavery, Free Black communities, and the history of Indigenous nations on this land before Columbus.
With my play, Sheela and The Amazons, I am fascinated by the deep human past, pre-Christian and “pagan” spiritual practice, and the inner workings of ancient matrilineal societies. I want to more widely share the knowledge that there is bio-archaeological evidence that supports the existence of respected warrior women all over the world. The shadow puppets I’m creating are deeply inspired by Paleolithic and Neolithic Goddess cultures and Goddess symbols.
Shadow puppets in an excerpt from “Sheela & The Amazons” concept video by ChelseaDee Harrison
Puppet Showplace: What have you found most rewarding or beneficial about your experience so far with the Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers?
ChelseaDee Harrison: The Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers has cracked open my artistry into a whole new world of storytelling. I’m learning about all kinds of shadow theater and shadow puppetry. The possibilities are endless! I needed this community, they are a breath of hope and clarity in a chaotic and uncertain time. I am so grateful to be in community with such talented puppeteers and artists who are continuing to make work, spread love, and instill knowledge through art.
Puppet Showplace is proud to support boundary-pushing artists like ChelseaDee. Follow ChelseaDee Harrison on Instagram, check out her website and subscribe to Puppet Showplace’s newsletter to be notified about performances by Creative Residency fellows!
Interested in learning more about the Creative Residency program and our current cohort? Find more details about current and post fellows here →
