Keene State College’s production of “The Color of Our Lives,” written by KSC Professor of Theatre and Dance Céline Perron, finished up its successful four-day run at the Redfern Arts Center’s Wright Theatre.
The performance followed the story of a young girl, Cáit, learning of her great-great-grandmother’s struggle and journey immigrating from Ireland to Canada. Cáit’s story is told via human actors and the story of her great-great-grandmother is told through rod puppets, according to the Redfern website. The puppets were created by Director and Playwright Céline Perron.
“I’ve written other plays,” Perron said. “But this one, you know, talking about creativity and resilience and the power of women–it really connects profoundly with who I am.”
The performance was praised by audience members for its incredible use of puppetry and interesting formation of storytelling between the two generations of artists.
“I love the back-and-forth between the past and the present and how the lives intertwined with one another,” said audience member Stephanie Bragalony.
Making the show was a process that was praised by the director and helpers alike for its collaboration and evolution through the work of its performers.
“Even though I’m the director, every other artist brought part of that storytelling,” Perron said. “The lighting designer created this beautiful effect when we transformed from one world to another with these swirling lights that were just gorgeous.”
Perron not only praised other artists who collaborated with the project, but also praised the students who worked along with her.
“One thing about this show that I’m proud of is that there were lots of student leaders,” Perron said. “The sound design was by Jacob Sonntag, who is a third-year student. The person who did stage management for the production was first-year Natalie Wildman. I had first-year Aliyah Fortier create all of the shadow puppet designs and make them.”
The composer, Trinity Nay, spoke highly of Perron and her experience working with her. Nay stated that working with Perron was “a true delight and really a highlight in my professional career.”
“I will say that while I am a songwriter and write my own lyrics and music, Lynn writes this gorgeous, poetic imagery,” Nay stated. “Because the lyrics were so strong, the melody had to reflect that–it pushed me to kind of a new height. Honestly, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever written.”
The actors who brought Perron’s story to life did so remarkably. During the puppeted sections of the performance, it felt as though the puppets were moving on their own volition.
“The actors were just so alive with their puppets that it was life-like,” audience member Denise Elotti said.
“The fact that acting majors that are used to performing on their own had to learn to convey emotion through inanimate objects was impressive,” Perron said. “It only comes alive in the hand of the actor if they learn to pass the emotion through the puppets.”
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