As part of The Lincoln Center’s commitment to bringing new and unique experiences to Northern Colorado, The Lincoln Center is excited to host the North American debut of the imaginative and awe-inspiring South Korean illusionists SNAP on January 26.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to speak Korean to understand the show. “We only use the language of movement and miming,” says Casa Kim, the art director of Gruejarm Production, SNAP’s South Korean production company. “There are no words, so even young children can enjoy the show.”
SNAP’s story follows three tricksters who happen upon a door that transcends time and space. As they move through their dream-like world, the tricksters meet magical beings that they help as they try to return to reality.
Plus, if SNAP’s presence on the international magic scene means anything, audiences are guaranteed to enjoy the show. SNAP has been invited to perform at festivals worldwide, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. When asked about their popularity, Kim says, “I think there are a lot of reasons. We give a fresh perspective to magic because not only do we add an overarching narrative, but we combine many different genres from an East Asian perspective.”
Korean magic has been establishing a name for itself over the past decade, with South Korean magicians winning big at The World Championship of Magic (hosted by the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques). “Those winning magicians worked together to create SNAP along with international award-winning dancers and choreographers,” Kim says.
“Korean magic is unique because it’s creative and uses high-level hand techniques. Most of our performers started very young and all of them have a deep passion for the craft,” says Kim, who goes on to joke, “though some of them started practicing magic to escape from the stress of doing schoolwork.”
Produced by South Korean performing arts group, Gruejarm Productions, SNAP is a perfect encapsulation of what the word “gruejarm” means. Gruejarm is a Korean word that signifies the unreal time between waking up and falling back asleep. “Our goal is to create performances that teeter on the edge of reality and fantasy,” says Kim, and SNAP does exactly that.
Come explore the world of dreams with the masters of prestidigitation, SNAP, January 26, 2024 at The Lincoln Center. Tickets start from $15 at LCtix.com.