The Edge of the Earth

Conceived by Lisa Kitchens

In collaboration with Nemuna Ceesay, Rosa Palmeri and Ben Quinn

Run Time: Approximately 40 minutes

Recommended for families and children ages 6 and up

A hiker in the wilderness is looking for the wildest place on earth! Only she is lost. Through encounters with wildlife and longings of her imagination, she makes a big discovery. Told through puppetry, interactive storytelling and the soundscape of the wild, this performance is inspired by our American public lands and the wildness inside everyone.

Illustration of two mountains, one light blue and one dark blue, with a yellow sun, clouds, and small trees in the foreground.

This project was developed after a residency with Togiak National Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Alaska through the USDA Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service’s program, Voices of the Wilderness.

A person standing on a stage near a tent, with mountains and colorful art in the background. The tent is a shadow screen with a shadow puppet of an eagle show on the tent.
Two women smiling, while one of the women operates a bird puppet in front of a colorful mosaic wall.
A woman with light skin and brown, curly hair smiling while sitting on the floor, holding a small ground squirrel puppet. She is interacting with two young girls with dark skin and braided hair, in a room with a colorful brick wall background.
A woman with curly hair and black clothing is engaging with children sitting on the floor operating a frog puppet in front of a colorful wall. A man and a woman are capturing the event with a smartphone, and children are holding illustrated guides.
Two women are performing on stage in front of an audience, with one holding a sign that reads 'Guide Book' and the other leaning in closely. The stage has microphones and a tent, and the audience is seated facing the performance.
Silhouette of a person holding a small paper with a nature scene, standing against a projector showing a forest scene with trees, moon, and starry sky.
A group of children and adults sitting and standing in an indoor space, watching a performer. The backdrop is a colorful, abstract mosaic wall. Some children are sitting on mats, and the performer is holding a white object while engaging with the aud
Group of children and adults seated on orange benches watching a woman adjusting a camera in front of a colorful mural in an indoor space.
A group of diverse people, including children and adults, gathered around and touching a ground squirrel puppet, with colorful wall decorations in the background.
Two women Kneeling and chatting with children sitting in a row, a person holding a bird puppet, while a crowd observes in the background.

Photos by Michael Palma Mir

To bring The Edge of the Earth to your school or private event, please email Lisa at earthstoriesinitiative@gmail.com