Legendary international performance artist Sha Sha Higby approaches dance through the medium of sculpture. Her sculptures are influenced by experiences in Asia and beyond, made to move with her living body as the driving force. Meticulously crafted over the course of years, the multi-layered costumes are made of paper, wood, glass, enamel, Asian lacquer, and gold leaf. She is an "icon" in her generation for establishing the sculptural object as a body costume that can be integrated with theater and dance to create its own poetic plot in a solo performance.

Internationally renowned for her evocative and haunting performances, Sha Sha is influenced by her studies in Asia—Noh Theater, shadow puppets, Indonesian dance—she lived in Japan under a US-Japan Friendship Grant for two years and a NEA Theatre Grant; in Indonesia for five years under a Fulbright and in India under an Indo-American Fellowship.

In Sha Sha’s programs, students learn from other cultures and how mask, costume, and puppetry can totally transform them. They also learn about the construction of these fantastic masks and costume structures.

Her newest show, The Powdered Sea” has intricate puppets that can be projected on a larger screen and has whimsical mobiles (grades 7-12)

A Paper Wing appears to be more intricate than lace or more fragile than a thread of a spider’s silk in sunlight, whimsical as the ornaments in music boxes and fancy clocks. (grades 7-12)

In Hands-on Demo, Sha Sha presents a slideshow, sharing her work and background. The audience sees her costumes up close and some students are chosen to be dressed and transformed in the costumes so they can experience the process. (grades 4-12)

Falls of Tea and Gold is a journey to rescue a puppet living inside a golden nut. A question-and-answer period with the artist follows. (grades 7-12)

The Glass Jungle reflects Sha Sha’s travels to Myanmar and Thailand and a visit to a glass-blowing factory where huge glass bulbs are made into the eyes of the Buddha. This costume is a moving temple. A question-and-answer session with the artist follows. (grades 7-12)

I present performances in both English and Spanish.