Jim Glavan

Kalydria with Pablo and Pumilo

Costume Technology Program Head, James Glavan recently returned from Costa Rica, where he completed work on a multi–media "edu–tainment" project in collaboration with the University of Costa Rica and the Museo de los Niños de Costa Rica. The project produced "La Cancion de la Tierra" an original play for children highlighting the importance of caring for the environment, performed by four animatronic puppets.

Glavan presented the idea to the University of Costa Rica over three years ago, after traveling to Costa Rica with Professor of Lighting Design, Amarante Lucero, and his students at the Institue for Digital Performing Arts. "The second year I went, I did an animatronic class. It was really successful… I thought I could expand the project, and use higher technologies creating theatre, creating performance, and using what I love to do – animatronics and special effects," Glavan explains.

Kalydria

The next year was spent researching and planning. Glavan, who teaches tailoring, draping, costume construction, mask making, millinery, fabric dyeing, painting and stage make–up needed to become fluent in every other area of production. With very limited assistance, he designed and crafted every piece of the animatronic puppets, executed his own scenic and lighting design, and programmed all of the components to precisely interact with one another to create the twenty–three minute play.

The play features puppets, Kalydria, a red–eyed tree frog; Tuki, the Toucan; Pumilio, a "blue jeans" frog; and Pablo, a boy from the future, who shares his story to encourage the audience to take care of the planet. "La Cancion de la Tierra" will run at the Museo de los Niños de Costa Rica through May 2009.

When asked why this project is important to him, Glavan replied, "This department is about new work…I wanted to generate my own work using high technology control systems." For future projects, Glavan would like to create a similar children's story to present to audiences in Texas.