The Birthday of the World

A story about how the world was born and how it needs your help to be filled with light again.
Created by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman 
Inspired by the book Birthday of the World by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen
 

How can you repair the world, finding one spark at a time? Gather around and lean forward as we share a gift with you – a story about how the world was born and how it needs your help to be filled with light again. Based on the beautiful children's book by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen and drawing from Jewish folklore, this immersive performance brings a timeless and timely story to life through gentle storytelling, visual wonder, and sensory play.  

Best enjoyed by audiences ages 0-5 and their grown-ups.

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Bernhardt Theatre for the Very Young
For Families

Selig Family Black Box Theatre

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Group Tickets available now for 10+. Visit our Group Discounts page for more information.

A lit sparkler glows brightly against a starry night sky with clouds at the bottom.
Text in tall, gold letters reads "The Birthday of the World" on a transparent background.

A story about how the world was born and how it needs your help to be filled with light again.

SEP 5 – OCT 25, 2025

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A story about how the world was born and how it needs your help to be filled with light again.
Created by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman 
Inspired by the book Birthday of the World by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen
 

How can you repair the world, finding one spark at a time? Gather around and lean forward as we share a gift with you – a story about how the world was born and how it needs your help to be filled with light again. Based on the beautiful children’s book by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen and drawing from Jewish folklore, this immersive performance brings a timeless and timely story to life through gentle storytelling, visual wonder, and sensory play.  

Best enjoyed by audiences ages 0-5 and their grown-ups.

View Activity Guide

Creative Team

Director

A person with short hair, wearing glasses and a red sweater, smiles at the camera against a plain light blue background.

Jonathan Shmidt Chapman

Director

Creative

A person with short curly brown hair and glasses, wearing a blue shirt, stands in front of a light-colored background.

Sam Shankman

Composer
Curved, parallel white lines form an abstract pattern on a blue-green gradient background.

Lynn Jeffries

Scenic and Puppet Designer
A woman with straight brown hair smiles in front of shelves displaying various colors of yarn.

April Andrew Carswell

Costume Design
Olivia Aston Bosworth

Olivia Aston Bosworth

Line Producer
Jayson T. Waddell

Jayson T. Waddell

Lighting Design

Cast

A person with short, curly brown hair wears a pearl necklace and a light denim shirt, smiling at the camera. A blurred stone wall is in the background.

Jo-Jo Steine

Rachel
A person with straight brown hair wearing a white tank top and denim overalls stands against a plain light brown background, smiling slightly.

Leah Thomas

Neshumaleh
A middle-aged man with a goatee and mustache, wearing a gray fedora and a patterned collared shirt, smiles at the camera against a yellow background.

Reuben Haller

Grandfather

Crew

Myah Harper

Myah Harper

Grandfather’s Neighbor/ Stage Manager
Person dressed in a costume with a brown hat and scarf, holding a vintage telephone and appearing surprised or shocked.

Come Curious. Leave Changed.

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