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BFG (Big Friendly Giant), Arden Theatre Company

Photo Credit: Wide Eyed Studios

In 2023 Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company commissioned Sebastienne Mundheim/White Box Theatre to create seven giants and the Sophie puppet in order to bring Roald Dahl’s well-loved story to life for the winter children’s theatre programming, which runs November-January. In preparation, we read the story, made some experiments in how to build a light-weight armature to support these giant heads, and created a small puppet armature for Sophie. Then we stitched and invented the characters. White Box Theatre had studio mates including: Stephen Shuster, Kennedy Candra, Grayson Winkel, Harlee Trautman, Keeley Cooper, and Payton Smith, and a few drop-in friends, stitchers: Jeanette Brown, Michelle Kriebel. In addition to building the puppets, Mundheim spent numerous sessions with actor Jessica Money, training her in puppetry movement. That was delightful. 

Over 25,000 audience members saw this performance.  

The excellence of the Arden team brought Sophie and the Giants to life in an extraordinary way.  This team included: Director: Whit McLaughlin, Assistant Director: Christina M. Buono, Set Designer: David Gordon, Sound Design: Jordan McCree, Lighting Design: Dom Chacon, Costume Design: Jillian Keys, Stage Management: Lyndsey Connelly, and  Performers: Newton Buchanan, Jessica Money, Bi Jean Ngo, Kishia Nixon, Adaeze Nwoko, Jo Vito Ramirez, Matteo Scammell, Leah Walton.  

Read Jane Von Bergen’s review in Billy Penn (December 17, 2023):
How this Philly artist breathes life into puppet creations through the magic of belief.

Video Credit: The Arden Theatre

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