Artsbridge touts 2023-24 season opener
Doug Berky performs before an audience at Waterford Elementary School in a show organized by Artsbridge. Berky entertained students in Pleasants, Ritchie, Wood and Washington counties with his “No Show” show. (Photo Provided)
Entertainer Doug Berky is known for making masks. (Photo Provided)
Doug Berky performs before an audience at Waterford Elementary School in a show organized by Artsbridge. Berky entertained students in Pleasants, Ritchie, Wood and Washington counties with his “No Show” show. (Photo Provided)
Entertainer Doug Berky is known for making masks. (Photo Provided)
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PARKERSBURG -- Local fifth- and sixth-grade school students were recently treated to Doug Berky's uproarious "No Show" entertainment through Artsbridge.
Students from Pleasants, Ritchie and Wood counties and Waterford Elementary and Warren Middle School in Washington County participated in Artsbridge's first tour of the 2023-24 school season.
Berky created and evolved his brand of physical theater for over 30 years. His original performances are a fabric of commedia del arte, physical comedy, mime, mask theater, clowning, circus arts and storytelling.
"No Show" is about a performance that has been scheduled, the stage is set and the audience is seated and waiting, but the actors are no shows.
A "member" of the audience begins to search for the cast. When they cannot be found he discovers the set and all the props waiting to be used. Theatrical masks, juggling equipment and a tutu are just a few of the items discovered.
"No Show" is a structured improvisation with audience interaction with elements of mime, circus, masks and silent movie schtick.
Berky also is internationally known for making masks. He designs and constructs the masks for his own performances and creates all of the sets, choreography, scripts and many of the costumes.
He has performed and taught throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe in schools, colleges, and festivals.