Performances will take place at The Chocolate Factory Theater, 38-33 24th Street, Long Island City.

Dive into the enchanting world of Steven Wendt’s Plato Caves: Screens vs. Shadows, where imagination reigns and screens take a backseat. Join us for a playful journey reclaiming the magic of cinema in a boundlessly permissive silly zone where, even in an attention economy,  wonder is still within reach.

What can I expect by coming to the show?

Expect to learn the artistic secrets of a world: renowned Shadow Master cohosting with his friend Screen Head. You’ll sing with a robotic vibraphone, interact with repurposed Nintendo Wii controllers and two former Blue Man Group performers explore the core building blocks that cinema — and screen culture — use to captivate us. But here, they’re stripped of their digital shell and returned to their elemental magic. All ages welcome (especially ages 5 – 12 years old).

Performers Steven Wendt and Wes Day encourage young people to see themselves not as content consumers, but as curious creators of light and story. In an era where digital media saturates every aspect of daily life co-opting reality and the very concept of play, Plato Caves: Screens vs. Shadows seeks to reclaim imagination, humor and storytelling through a screen-free cinematic-esque experience and impressive hand shadows which the audience will walk away being able to do themselves.

Steven Wendt is a performer and devised theater creator. He has performed in the Blue Man Group and he received the Puppeteers of America Jim Henson Innovation Award in 2023 for his hand shadow and abstract puppetry work in This & That which premiered at The Chocolate Factory Theater in 2022. stevenwendt.com

Wes Day is a multifaceted artist and performer based in New York City. With a rich background that includes years of performing with the Blue Man Group, Wes has honed his skills in innovative and immersive performance art. Wes is also a Bob Ross Certified Instructor and teaches landscape paintings from the hit TV show “The Joy of Painting.” To learn more and book a class, visit wesday.com.