June 4-20, 2021

Available on the Wirtz Center YouTube channel, donations welcome.

As the world slowly emerges from the pain of this pandemic year, the Wirtz Center joyously presents The Flight of the Phoenix, a magical story of resilience, transformation, and artistic rebirth. This digital offering features a large-scale puppet spectacle filmed on Northwestern’s glorious lake front and soaring above communities across the globe.  Members of the NU community near and far will migrate a massive flock of blue and gold bird puppets, reenacting the journey of the mythical beast as it perishes dramatically in flames, only to burst forth from the fire, reborn to frolic across the sky and begin a new life.

Directed by Theater faculty members Dassia Posner and Jessica Thebus, designed by members of the MFA Design cohort, and featuring NU’s undergraduate performers, the Flight of the Phoenix celebrates our indomitable spirit in a festival of furious flames and fantastical feathers.