Tucson, Ariz. (Aug. 2, 2023) - Little Amal, the internationally-celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, arrives in Tucson on Oct. 28 as part of her epic, 6,000-mile journey across the United States this fall. 
 

During her stop in Tucson, Children's Museum Tucson, Desert Laboratory on Tumamoc Hill, University of Arizona, Galeria Mitotera: Melissa and Mel Dominguez, Tucson Car Club, University of Arizona, Arizona Arts Live, and Pima County Public Library will create a series of theatrical "events welcome" for Amal. Tucson even details will be announced later this month. 


Throughout the two-month trek, which will span more than 35 U.S. cities and towns with 100+ events, some of the country's most influential cultural institutions and artists will come together to greet Amal and add their unique color to the rich tapestry of America's story. 

 

All events along the route are an open invitation to the people of the towns and cities Amal is visiting. Some of the organizations and institutions that will share their unique vantage point of the U.S. narrative and take part in the journey include: national and local cultural institutions, theaters, community groups, government bodies, arts, civic society, faith groups and humanitarian organizations. All participating partners are outlined at WalkWithAmal.org/Friends/United-States.


"Amal stands for unity and hope, and we couldn't impart this message without the hundreds of partners, large and small, coming together to support us as we embark on this journey," said The Walk Productions Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zuabi. "Each artist, organization and institution has a story to tell about their unique slice of American history and culture, and is inviting Amal and all Americans to learn about what makes this country's heart beat."

 

"We're overwhelmed by the outpouring of interest that we've received from partners who wish to welcome Amal to their communities," said The Walk Productions Producer David Lan.

 

Starting in Boston, MA, on Sept. 7 and culminating Nov. 5 in San Diego, CA, the journey will take Amal through Washington, D.C., the Midwest, the South and along the Southern border. A full list of events, including locations, times, and other pertinent information, will be released in August. 

 

Amal Walks Across America is produced by The Walk Productions in association with Handspring Puppet Company, which also guided Amal's journey through her initial 5,00-mile walk across Europe in 2021 and through all five boroughs of New York City in 2022 in partnership with St. Ann's Warehouse.

 

Since the beginning of her journey, Amal has been welcomed in communities across the globe at various artistic-led events that are authentic and meaningful to the local people she meets. 

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The Walk Productions is led by David Lan and Tracey Seaward. Playwright/Director Amir Nizar Zuabi serves as Artistic Director, Sarah Loader is Executive Producer, and the Associate Artistic Directors are Khadijat Oseni and Enrico Dau Yang Wey.

 

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. 

 

Amal is inspired by a character in Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson's play The Jungle, about a refugee camp in Calais, France. 

 

Funding Credits
Amal Walks Across America was made possible with an inaugural investment from the Doris Duke Foundation as well as leadership support from the Bezos Family Foundation. 

 

Additional generous support was provided by the Backstage Trust, the Barr Foundation, Sunny Bates, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Choose Love, The Conrad Prebys Foundation, the Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, Ruby Lerner, the McMillan Stewart Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, Opportunity Fund, The Shapiro Foundation, Students Rebuild, the Throne Cox Family Foundation, and Barbara Tober in honor of Diane Love. 

The full PRESS KIT for Little Amal and her walk across the U.S. - IMAGES, VIDEOS, a Q&A about the project - can be found HERE. 

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