Science meets theatre in Bell Museum, 'Heart of the Beast' partnership

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (11/29/2011) —The Bell Museum of Natural History is partnering with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) to educate students around the state about the lives of animals during winter.

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‘Winter Dreams,’ presented by HOBT gives a magical look into the beauty and wonder of Minnesota winters by exploring the dreams of animals, brought to the stage in puppet form. As the state’s natural history museum, the Bell Museum is presenting programming to complement the production. Educators from both institutions designed a package for student groups to enjoy the puppet performance, followed by an interactive tour at the Bell Museum, providing insight into the biology and habits of regional animals during the winter.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Heart of the Beast Theatre,” said Susan Weller, director of the Bell Museum. “Too often our society segregates art and science into separate activities, as if they exist in independent universes. It’s a false dichotomy. ’Winter Dreams’ is a wonderful example of how theatre, music and science can be blended to inspire wonder and provoke curiosity — two key ingredients for encouraging lifelong learning.”

Groups interested in taking advantage of this limited-time opportunity or with questions can Stacy Lee King, community engagement manager at HOBT, education [a] hobt (p) org, or call 612-721-2535 ext.15

Dates: Tuesday, Dec. 6 - Friday, Dec. 9, Thursday, Dec.15 & Friday, Dec. 16
Times: Performance at HOBT at 10 a.m., Bell Museum tour at noon. (Times are flexible.) Students may bring a bagged lunch to eat between and leaving for the Bell Museum.
Cost: $10 per child, one chaperone per every 10 students free, $10 per each additional chaperone. Discounts available for Bell Museum members.

The Bell Museum is part of the University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and strives to advance the quest to discover, document and understand life in its many forms and to inspire curiosity, delight and informed stewardship of the natural world. For details, visit bellmuseum.org.


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  • Last modified on November 29, 2011