In Development

“Humour And Sensuality Are At The Heart Of Boca del Lupo“

The Georgia Straight Newspaper

In the spring of 2023 Artistic Directors Sherry J Yoon and Jay Dodge made the journey to Seoul with a goal of meeting interesting artists. In the 12 months that followed relationships with two of the companies they met grew and deepened to the point that we are now working on projects together. The first is a contemporary performance piece created with Goblin Party that will be available for touring 2026 called Behind the Smile. The second is a site-specific, multi-disciplinary puppet performance with ArtStageSAN, a trilogy that will unfold over the next 4 years entitled Me And … (See below).

Boca del Lupo will be pitching these exciting international collaborations at the PuSh Festival’s Industry Series!

Behind the Smile

Behind the Smile is a collaboration between Boca del Lupo and Goblin Party.  At its core the project explores the paradoxical world of mascots—those vibrant, oversized symbols of joy and celebration often found at events brimming with excitement and innocence. Yet, beneath the surface of their playful appearances, these mascots bear the brunt of unforeseen aggression, particularly from children.

Drawing on wildly entertaining mascot tropes from amusement parks, sporting events, and stadium shows; Behind the Smile pairs Goblin Party’s rigorous approach to contemporary dance with Boca del Lupo’s expertise in visual storytelling, technical integration and international collaboration.  Hysterical and heartfelt, the project also investigates the broader societal tendencies to misunderstand and mistreat those who are perceived as different. 

Led by Sherry J Yoon, Co-Artistic Director of Boca del Lupo and a first-generation Korean Canadian, Behind the Smile draws on Yoon’s personal insights and experiences.  She illuminates the broader theme of the project, peeling back the veneers and revealing the challenges faced by those pressured to moderate their identity behind the smile. 

“Creating this piece with the explosive movements of Goblin Party blended with the hilarity and heartbreak of mascots, the audacious costumes, storytelling and technical integration brought in by the collaborators, it’s been a joy to play and create within the juxtaposing tension of entertainment and revelation. The workroom is such a generative place. I’m thrilled to be developing this piece with such talented artists and look forward to presenting this work to both our communities.” 

Sherry J Yoon, Co-Artistic Director

Development Timeline

• May 2023 First Meeting of Collaborators (Seoul)
• May 2024 Development Workshop (Seoul)
• November 2024 Design and Story Workshop (Vancouver)
• January 2025 Pitch at PuSh (Vancouver)
• May 2025 Choreography Workshop (Seoul)
• October 2025 Production Workshop (Vancouver)

*Ready for Final Rehearsal, Premiere and Touring in 2026

Me & …

Drawing on the extraordinary craftmanship of ArtStageSAN and their large than life puppets combined with Boca del Lupo’s experience in stunning, site-specific immersive productions Me & … brings audiences into a direct conversation with the animal world.

Thanks to new scientific discoveries using AI analysis of animal communication, we are on the verge of being able to translate, understand and converse with many of the more advanced species of animals on the planet, starting with whales. This trilogy of works contemplates the profound impact direct communication with animals will have on our understanding of humanity and our relationship to nature.

The ellipsis in the title will be filled with three different words, each defining the location of the performance and alluding to a non-human inhabitant: the Water, the Forest, the Sky. Three large-scale puppets will be developed by ArtStageSAN and three voicings written by celebrated Canadian writers. Inspired by and installed in the natural beauty of local landscapes, the audience embarks on site-specific interactive journeys guided by these larger than life creations.

Led by Co-Artistic Director and award-winning designer Jay Dodge, known for his novel approach to technology and ambitious site-specific production concepts, the trilogy will include submersible armatures, dirigibles and wireless over ear headphones receiving a near field broadcast of live sound. Dodge writes:

“When interspecies communication becomes a reality and species other than human attain personhood and citizenship, it will be like aliens landing on the planet and we will have to rethink our self-appointed status as the sole sentient species.“

Jay Dodge, Co-Artistic Director

Development Timeline

• May 2023 First Meeting of Collaborators (Seoul)
• June 2024 Development Workshop (Vancouver)
• November 2024 Design and Story Workshop (Vancouver)
• January 2025 Pitch at PuSh (Vancouver)
• July 2025 Puppet Construction/Sound Design Workshop (Seoul/Vancouver)
• October 2025 Production Workshop (Vancouver)

*Ready for Final Rehearsal, Premiere and Touring in 2026