Boca del Lupo & Goblin Party
Behind the Smile
Artist Pitch
Theatre
National Arts Center
Wednesday, December 3
11:00 a.m
Boca del Lupo
Boca del Lupo has a foundation in theatre but has evolved into a multi-disciplinary company often partnering with artists and organizations that are beyond the conventional boundaries of their form. Since their inception in 1996 in Vancouver, the company has toured extensively nationally and internationally, with a repertoire that includes 60 original creations and unique presentations.
The company is led by Artistic Directors Sherry J. Yoon and Jay Dodge.Sherry J. Yoon is a co-creator and director of the company’s original productions and Jay Dodge’s writing, performances and designs are central in Boca del Lupo’s shows. During the tenure of the pair, the company has received numerous awards including Jessies for Outstanding Design, Outstanding Production, Significant Artistic Achievement and Outstanding Performance; the Critic’s Choice Award for Innovation; and the Alcan Performing Arts Award & Patrick O’Neil Award. In 2022, Sherry was a finalist for the Siminovitch Award in Directing.
Gobin Party
Founded in 2007, Goblin Party has performed in and out of Korea using a traditional Korean monster goblin as its symbol. Many situations which a human being experiences lead to different phenomena and to invisible and diverse emotions. Goblin Party usually goes through human emotions and physical responses that emerge from familiar or unfamiliar situations and experiences. They then create stories to imagine and meditate on all their experiences and feelings. The company has an extensive repertoire and a history that includes several international tours and co-productions including “Silver Knife”, presented in collaboration with the Ottawa Dance Directive and Korean Cultural Centre Canada (2022). In 2016, Goblin Party was awarded the Korean Association of Dance Critics and Researchers prize for their production “Soul Piercing”. Joining this project are four of the companies longest standing members: Kyungmin Ji - Choreographer / Dancer / Composer; Jinho Lim - Choreographer / Dancer; Kyunggn Lee - Choreographer / Dancer / Actor; and Hyunmin Ahn - Choreographer / Dancer / Producer.
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.