Season of Cambodia

Sbeik Thom shadow puppetry is an ancient and sacred form of Cambodian theater traditionally performed on ceremonial occasions. Performances of Sbeik Thom feature master puppeteers and trained dancers manipulating large-scale leather shadow puppets against a lit screen while accompanied by a narrator and Pin Peat ensemble. As part of Season of Cambodia, a citywide celebration of arts and cultural resilience, the Sbeik Thom troupe from Wat Bo, Siem Reap will perform “Sor Neakabas”, a tale from the Reamker, Cambodia’s beloved version of the Ramayana epic. Under threat of extinction during the Khmer Rouge regime, this Sbeik Thom performance is not only a New York City premiere, but also a testament to the strength of a remarkable nation, culture, and community of artistst.