Several events planned, including two created by Philadelphia Theatre Company and Theatre Exile.
AUGUST 31, 2023 PHILADELPHIA, PA – On Wednesday, September 13, Little Amal, the internationally-celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, arrives in Philadelphia as part of her epic trek across the United States. She has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Her two-month walk, spanning over 6,000 miles, 35 U.S. cities and towns for 100+ events, takes her to some of the country’s most influential cultural institutions. Beginning in Boston, MA, on September 7 and ending in San Diego on November 5, the public will have multiple opportunities to participate in the journey of and encourage Little Amal as she explores the rich tapestry of America’s story.
Little Amal starts her Philadelphia debut with Theatre Exile on September 13 at Columbus Park (entry at 13th and Reed) in South Philadelphia across from Theatre Exile (1340 S. 13 Street, Philadelphia, PA. Accompanied by live music and performances, Theatre Exile will present five performance scenes while Little Amal walks to The Singing Fountain on East Passyunk (11th Street and Passyunk Avenue). During this family-friendly event, Amal believes she may have found a clue towards finding a new home and begins to walk through the streets of South Philadelphia, uncovering dangers and delights along the way. The event is in partnership with Friends of Columbus Square Park, Fanny Jackson Coppin School, HOME – The Fanny Jackson Coppin Rockin’ Band, White Box Theatre, South Philadelphia Library, State Senator Nikil Saval, Councilmember Mark Squilla, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, and En Route.
Later that evening, Philadelphia Theatre Company (480 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA) hosts Little Amal for an event in partnership with Broad Street Ministry, Spiral Q, the City of Philadelphia, Philly PACK, Rucyl Frison, and Donna Oblongota. Guests are invited to gather at 6:30 p.m. at Philadelphia Theatre Company, with Little Amal starting her journey at 7 p.m. Tired on her first night in Philadelphia, Amal looks for somewhere to sleep, but everywhere she lays her head, she is interrupted by the sounds of the city. Frustrated and exhausted, Amal wanders through the city, looking for a resting place. The .5-mile walk will take Amal down Broad Street, ending at the City Hall Courtyard (1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard). Broad Street Ministry’s volunteer menders donated their time and talent to construct a 12×12 blanket to cover Little Amal while she sleeps in the bed made by The Philadelphia Theatre Company.
Two additional Amal events will take place in Philadelphia on September 14. For more information on those activations, please click HERE.
Amal was designed and built by the Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa, creators of the award-winning puppets for the hit show War Horse, and is inspired by a character in Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson’s play The Jungle, about a refugee camp in Calais, France.
The Walk Productions produced Amal Walks Across America in association with Handspring Puppet Company, which also guided Amal’s journey through her initial 5,000-mile walk across Europe in 2021 and through all five boroughs of New York City in 2022 in partnership with St. Ann’s Warehouse.
The national press kit may be found HERE. For press requests for the Little Amal team, please contact Ian Martin.
Media Contact:
Tracy Buchholz
tracy@enroutemarketing.com
267-992-0808 (m)