We are so happy to welcome Kira Houston + MJ Gamelin to Lamplight’s Residency at 821! Merging collage and devised theatre, Kira and MJ present Trip to Planet Paperclip, a collaborative worldbuilding project.
Throughout the residency, Kira and MJ will create work set within the world of Planet Paperclip, a universe where objects take on new meanings. Community workshops are the heart of this residency—through these events, Kira + MJ invite the public to participate in their creative process, combining techniques from devised theatre with guided collage creation to collaboratively tell imaginative, far-out stories. MJ will facilitate these worldbuilding experiences, while Kira will document the stories in his ongoing body of Planet Paperclip collages. Each workshop is set within an immersive installation, a mysterious storyteller’s lair. On Thursday, November 19th, we invite you to join us for a closing reception celebrating what we have all accomplished together.
Community Events:
Friday, November 13, 2026 at 6:30PM – Trip to Planet Paperclip Workshop
Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 4PM-8PM (Ongoing) – BOOM BOOM BARNS Satellite Installation
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 12:30PM – Trip to Planet Paperclip Workshop
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 6:30PM – Trip to Planet Paperclip Workshop
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 6:30PM – Trip to Planet Paperclip Workshop
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 6:30PM – Trip to Planet Paperclip Workshop
Thursday, November 19, 2026 from 6:30 – 8:30PM – Closing Reception
Artist Bios:
Kira Houston is a visual artist and writer. He is interested in how unlikely materials can shape meaning in written and visual works, chasing a sense of play and embracing alternative narrative structures. His recent body of work “Planet Paperclip” comprises collage-poems set in an imaginary world full of enigmatic plastics, exuberant scraps, and mysterious little drawings. Kira is also an art historian and curator.
MJ Gamelin is a theatre artist focused on community engagement, queer narratives, and ensemble storytelling. He is interested in breaking down hierarchies in the standard theatrical process. Collaborative decision making is central to his philosophy. As a director and facilitator, MJ focuses on creating a supportive environment for actors and storytellers to bring ideas to the table.
