Shae Uisna (Visual Designer, Marketing Director, Educator), Fulbright Scholar to Indonesia (Wayang Golek Menak: Puppet & Mask Theatre), holds a Master of Arts Degree in Theatre (Directing & Design) from Portland State University & has received two Fellowships from the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. Ms. Uisna’s work frequently combines rod & shadow puppetry with masked dance. Projects include Haroun & the Sea of Stories (Puppet Design), Bitchin’tella: The Cajun Puppet Musical, (Director, Designer), Everyman 2012 (Puppet Design, Puppet & Mask Choreography) and performances at the “Mighty Tiny Puppet Theater” at the Oregon Country Fair. Shae Uisna has taught at The University of Portland, The University of California at Santa Cruz, Portland Community College at Sylvania, and "Marrow" in St Johns, Oregon. Ms. Uisna was the Co-Founder and Assistant Director of the Elisabeth Jones Art Center (EJArt) in downtown Portland, OR.
Education
Portland State University, Master of Arts Degree in Theatre, emphasis in directing & design 2009
University of California at Santa Cruz, Fifth Year Program in Theatre 2003
Loyola Marymount University, BA European Studies (Liberal Arts, Magna cum laude)
Awards
The Kennedy Center Meritorious Achievement Award: For Puppet Design in “Haroun and the Sea of Stories”: Karin Magaldi Director, Portland State University. 2008
Fellowship Recipient: The O’Neill Puppetry Conference, Emerging Artist: “Songs from the Three-Penny Opera” 2004
Fulbright Grant Scholar to Indonesia; Independent research into the later traditions of the Wayang Golek Menak (Rod Puppet Theater) of Central Java.
Experience
Director • Shae Uisna Puppets (Shadows, Masks and Rod Puppetry)
Santa Cruz, CA / Portland, OR • 2000 - Present
Directing, design and teaching highlights:
• “Everyman” Lead Designer (Puppet, Mask and Shadow Design) and Puppet Choreography; Patrick Tangredi, Director; Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus, (May 2012)
• “Bitchin’tella! The Cajun Puppet Musical” Writer, Director, Designer, Producer (PSU July 2008)
• “Haroun and the Sea of Stories” Shae Uisna Puppet Design; Karin Magaldi Director (PSU Feb 2008)
• “Goblin Market” Designer/Director (PSU, March 2007)
• Workshop Leader: “Masks & Movement” Puppeteers of America Conference, Tacoma, WA (Aug 2006)
• “Three from Elee” Artbeat Festival 2005, Portland Community College (Sylvania Campus)
• “Songs from the Three Penny Opera” (“Emerging Artist” Fellowship; O’Neill Puppetry Conference ‘04)
Adjunct Instructor • Portland Community College Sylvania • Portland, OR • Aug 2011 - May 2012
Taught “Experiments in Puppetry”: Utilizing a vast array of techniques (sculpting, moldmaking, vacuform, papier mache, casting, shadow puppet construction) students constructed giant puppets and masks for use in the May 2012 Mainstage Production of “Everyman.” I also choreographed the puppet and mask movement for the play and trained student performers in the manipulation of all puppets, masks and shadows.
Adjunct Instructor • The University of Portland • Portland, OR • Jan - May 2004
Taught FA 495 “The Secret Life of Puppets.” History and theory of Puppet Theatre culminating in student performances.
Teaching Assistant • University of California at Santa Cruz, Theatre Arts • Aug 2002 - May 2003
Taught two sections per week in Acting Studio I and “Muppet Magic.” Prepared class activities; led classes and class sections, directed workshops and discussions. Gave assignments and tests, critiqued performances and papers, determined final grades.
Puppeteer • Portland, OR • August 2005 - Present
• Touring puppeteer with “Ride the Red Mare.” Led workshops and performances in elementary schools throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre Aug 2005 - May 2006
• Puppeteer/Performer (Scenic Painting, Costume Design, Co-Writer) "QUIXOTE!" with Max Eberhard Eichner • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2019.
• Puppeteer: “The Revenge of the Terrible Black Snake” (Adaptation of Japanese Folktale by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2012, 2013.
• Puppeteer (with Tamara Crafts): "Monkey Heart" (Adaptation of an Indian Folktale by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2017
• Masked Performer (with Tamara Crafts): "The Contest Between The North Wind & Sun" (Adaptation of Aesop by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2017
• Puppeteer: "Sistah Fox and Little Dog" (Original story by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2014
• Puppeteer: “Silent Bianca” (Adaptation of original story by Jane Yolen by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2010
• Puppeteer: “Petronella” (Adaptation of original story by Jay Williams by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2009, 2011
Co-Director • Atelier Gallery • Santa Cruz, CA • May 1998 - Sept 2003
• Curated and organized over 100 shows & art events. • Responsible for all press, advertising & graphics.
• Trained and oversaw all employees and volunteers. • Maintained Gallery database, recruited new artists.
• Hosted artist talks, poetry readings & many other activities, many on a weekly basis.
Performer • Kabuki Theatre “Tsunemasa” (Lead Performer) (PSU March – May 2009)
• Kyogen Performer “Voices at the Gate” (PSU March – May 2008)
• Wayang Orang Performer (Bima) “The Water of Life” (UCSC March – May 2003)
• Dalang/Ensemble Performer “The Pancatantra” (UCSC Aug – Dec 2002)
Special Skills
Languages: Spanish, Indonesian, German
Graphic Design: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Studio Art: Sculpting, Moldmaking, Casting, Mask, Puppet, Properties design & construction, Puppetry,
Life Drawing, Vacuform, Papier Mache, Assemblage, Fabrication, Silhouette/Shadow Puppet design & construction.
Education
Portland State University, Master of Arts Degree in Theatre, emphasis in directing & design 2009
University of California at Santa Cruz, Fifth Year Program in Theatre 2003
Loyola Marymount University, BA European Studies (Liberal Arts, Magna cum laude)
Awards
The Kennedy Center Meritorious Achievement Award: For Puppet Design in “Haroun and the Sea of Stories”: Karin Magaldi Director, Portland State University. 2008
Fellowship Recipient: The O’Neill Puppetry Conference, Emerging Artist: “Songs from the Three-Penny Opera” 2004
Fulbright Grant Scholar to Indonesia; Independent research into the later traditions of the Wayang Golek Menak (Rod Puppet Theater) of Central Java.
Experience
Director • Shae Uisna Puppets (Shadows, Masks and Rod Puppetry)
Santa Cruz, CA / Portland, OR • 2000 - Present
Directing, design and teaching highlights:
• “Everyman” Lead Designer (Puppet, Mask and Shadow Design) and Puppet Choreography; Patrick Tangredi, Director; Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus, (May 2012)
• “Bitchin’tella! The Cajun Puppet Musical” Writer, Director, Designer, Producer (PSU July 2008)
• “Haroun and the Sea of Stories” Shae Uisna Puppet Design; Karin Magaldi Director (PSU Feb 2008)
• “Goblin Market” Designer/Director (PSU, March 2007)
• Workshop Leader: “Masks & Movement” Puppeteers of America Conference, Tacoma, WA (Aug 2006)
• “Three from Elee” Artbeat Festival 2005, Portland Community College (Sylvania Campus)
• “Songs from the Three Penny Opera” (“Emerging Artist” Fellowship; O’Neill Puppetry Conference ‘04)
Adjunct Instructor • Portland Community College Sylvania • Portland, OR • Aug 2011 - May 2012
Taught “Experiments in Puppetry”: Utilizing a vast array of techniques (sculpting, moldmaking, vacuform, papier mache, casting, shadow puppet construction) students constructed giant puppets and masks for use in the May 2012 Mainstage Production of “Everyman.” I also choreographed the puppet and mask movement for the play and trained student performers in the manipulation of all puppets, masks and shadows.
Adjunct Instructor • The University of Portland • Portland, OR • Jan - May 2004
Taught FA 495 “The Secret Life of Puppets.” History and theory of Puppet Theatre culminating in student performances.
Teaching Assistant • University of California at Santa Cruz, Theatre Arts • Aug 2002 - May 2003
Taught two sections per week in Acting Studio I and “Muppet Magic.” Prepared class activities; led classes and class sections, directed workshops and discussions. Gave assignments and tests, critiqued performances and papers, determined final grades.
Puppeteer • Portland, OR • August 2005 - Present
• Touring puppeteer with “Ride the Red Mare.” Led workshops and performances in elementary schools throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre Aug 2005 - May 2006
• Puppeteer/Performer (Scenic Painting, Costume Design, Co-Writer) "QUIXOTE!" with Max Eberhard Eichner • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2019.
• Puppeteer: “The Revenge of the Terrible Black Snake” (Adaptation of Japanese Folktale by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2012, 2013.
• Puppeteer (with Tamara Crafts): "Monkey Heart" (Adaptation of an Indian Folktale by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2017
• Masked Performer (with Tamara Crafts): "The Contest Between The North Wind & Sun" (Adaptation of Aesop by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2017
• Puppeteer: "Sistah Fox and Little Dog" (Original story by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2014
• Puppeteer: “Silent Bianca” (Adaptation of original story by Jane Yolen by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2010
• Puppeteer: “Petronella” (Adaptation of original story by Jay Williams by Shae Uisna) • Oregon Country Fair • Summer 2009, 2011
Co-Director • Atelier Gallery • Santa Cruz, CA • May 1998 - Sept 2003
• Curated and organized over 100 shows & art events. • Responsible for all press, advertising & graphics.
• Trained and oversaw all employees and volunteers. • Maintained Gallery database, recruited new artists.
• Hosted artist talks, poetry readings & many other activities, many on a weekly basis.
Performer • Kabuki Theatre “Tsunemasa” (Lead Performer) (PSU March – May 2009)
• Kyogen Performer “Voices at the Gate” (PSU March – May 2008)
• Wayang Orang Performer (Bima) “The Water of Life” (UCSC March – May 2003)
• Dalang/Ensemble Performer “The Pancatantra” (UCSC Aug – Dec 2002)
Special Skills
Languages: Spanish, Indonesian, German
Graphic Design: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Studio Art: Sculpting, Moldmaking, Casting, Mask, Puppet, Properties design & construction, Puppetry,
Life Drawing, Vacuform, Papier Mache, Assemblage, Fabrication, Silhouette/Shadow Puppet design & construction.
