Photo Flash: First Look at Rogue Artists Ensemble's 'FROG BELLY RAT BONE' and ZEN SHORTS

Los Angeles' award-winning art collective Rogue Artists Ensemble explores the power of friendship and the adventures of growing up with two of its most popular, family friendly puppet shows. Featuring updated puppets, stories and designs, as well as exciting first-looks at some special puppets still in development, The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone and Zen Shorts get two performances each at Atwater Village Theatre on Dec. 20 and 21. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in action!

In The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone, a very special Boy living in a world of cement and trash finds a treasure box containing specks that could change the world forever. Based on the award-winning book by Timothy Basil Ering and adapted for the stage by Emily E. Coalson, the show features giant puppets, video projections and original songs. The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone has toured schools throughout Southern California and is a featured presentation in the Segerstrom Center's Artist Showcase. Produced by special arrangement with Candlewick Press, Inc.

Zen Shorts follows the adventures of Michael and Addy, whose lives change forever when a giant Zen Master panda named Stillwater moves into their neighborhood. Based on the children's book by Jon J. Muth and adapted for the stage by playwright Elizabeth Wong and Rogue Artists Ensemble, the play features over 30 puppets, video projections and original songs. Zen Shorts has been workshopped, developed and presented at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Rio Hondo College and the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, among others, and will be presented as a co-production with Tears of Joy Theatre in Portland in Feb. 2015. Produced by special arrangement with Scholastic Books.

Rogue Artists Ensemble differs from other theater companies in that it's run by a collective of multi-disciplinary artists and designers rather than by actors, writers or directors. By combining ancient storytelling techniques (music, dance, masks, puppetry) with modern technology (digital media, special effects and theatrical illusions), the Rogues cultivate a unique style of live performance unlike any other. They define the combined use of these and other underrepresented art forms asHyper-theater. Past Rogue Artists Ensemble Hyper-theatrical productions include Gogol Project (Los Angeles Times "Critic's Choice"; Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for adaptation and design; LA Weekly Award for design); The Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch, adapted from the graphic novel by Neil Gaiman (recipient of 3 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards), and the Shakespeare mash-up HYPERBOLE: bard.

Performances take place at Atwater Village Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21: The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone begins at 2 p.m. on both days, and Zen Shorts begins at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 per show, or $15 for both. Families are encouraged to stay between shows for holiday cookie decorating and other kids' activities with Sparkleblob Collective (http://sparkleblob.org/). Atwater Village Theatre is located at 3269 Casitas Ave in Los Angeles, CA 90039. On-site parking is free. For reservations and information, 213-596-9468 or go to www.rogueartists.org.

Photos courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.

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