Explore the archive at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania through the puppetry and theatrical performance of artist Sebastienne Mundheim. HSP has partnered with Mundheim to participate in the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA). This year the festival celebrates time travel...what better way to do that than through the magic of an archive—a paper time machine.

Interdisciplinary storyteller, paper-lover, and performance artist Sebastienne Mundheim and White Box Theatre take the driver’s seat of the time machine at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, integrating puppetry, dance, and storytelling. Performing from the table tops and bookshelves of the Society’s beautiful Reading Room they discover the historic collections for audiences of all ages. Mundheim’s lyrical forays into history include sleeping giants, stomping faceless warriors in weighted costumes, and silent planters. These history keepers whisper back and forth on memory making–and they whisper back and forth about the early memory of William Penn. Magical, lyrical, and dreamlike– don’t miss this opportunity to time travel. Seating is limited, book tickets early!

Performances will be at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. April 13, 14, and 15.

Performers include: Bethany Formica, Lee Ann Etzold, Elizabeth Weinstein, Katie Croyle, Arielle Pina, Kianna Moye, and Nathan Logue. Sound design and composition: Alban Bailley. Written, designed, and directed by Sebastienne Mundheim. Performance 40 minutes. 

Sebastienne Mundheim, the founder and artistic director of White Box Theatre, is an interdisciplinary storyteller, installation artist, and educator. Mundheim has been creating arts-based interdisciplinary performance and community events for 20 years. She began her arts career as a painter and writer, earning her BA and BFA at the University of Pennsylvania in 1990. Wanting to get away from the solitary practice of studio and get out into the world to make work with more clear social impact, Mundheim began creating interdisciplinary community arts programs and events in Philadelphia and New Orleans, designing and implementing parades, installations, and arts-based learning experiences through museums, cultural organizations, schools, and community centers.

Mundheim participated in the 2011 PIFA festival, and her performance Paris Wheels, solicited rave reviews:

"... One of the most inventive, memorable events of the 135 we presented... engaging children and adults equally in a magical world... its singular joy, delight, and insight must be experienced..."

- Barbara Silverstein, Artistic Producer, Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, 2011

" ... One of the top ten performances to see at this year’s festival… ”

- Nick Stuccio, Executive Producer Philadelphia Live Arts/Fringe Festival