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" Migration " <br /> Desciption of "Migration" <br /> Migration is the story of Beatriz, a young girl from Mexico who must find her horne <br /> in the world as she immigrates with her Papa to the US leaving behind her beloved <br /> grandfather. Her grandfather gives her a book about the animals that must migrate <br /> to survive. The book not only gives her comfort in her struggles but also inspirE)s her <br /> to help the monarch butterflies whose migration will take them on the same route as <br /> her own, and whose winter forest refuge is in danger from woodcutters back in her <br /> hometown. Beatriz also learns lessons from the stories of polar bears, a bird called <br /> the godwit and a sperm whale and her baby. Hobey Ford brings Beatriz to life through <br /> storytelling, bunraku style puppetry and animation performing within a projected video <br /> scrim proscenium creating a seamless and almost hypnotic dance between the pup- <br /> peteer, puppets and original artistic scenery. Migration is a gorgeous production with a <br /> touching story of hope and change. <br /> This performance is an excellent companion to the study of animals, migration, <br /> metamorphosis of the monarch butterfly, Mexico, immigration, envirionmental <br /> awareness and geography. <br /> PUPPETRY STYLES USED IN MIGRATION <br /> Migration utilizes several puppetry styles including Czech black theater, bunraku style <br /> puppetry and projected scrim prosceneum. The puppets in migration are carved foam <br /> rubber figures which are painted and manipulated by rods. Hobey Ford is a pioneer in <br /> this innovative style of puppet he calls foamies. <br /> SCRIM <br /> A thin veil of material that when lit from the front appears to be opaque, yet when ob- <br /> jects are lit behind the scrim, the scrim appears to become transparent. Scrims have <br /> been used for hundreds of years in theater. <br /> CZECH BLACK THEATER <br /> This technique of puppetry requires the puppeteer to dress completely in black includ- <br /> ing a hood and gloves, while performing in front of a black backdrop. The theater is <br /> darkened and the puppeteer performs the puppet within a "curtain of light". The puppet <br /> appears alive while the puppeteer disappears in the darkness bewhind the "curtain of <br /> light". <br />