Utopian Hotline.
A Telephone Hotline, A Vinyl Record, A Performance
A Mitu Collaboration
September 24-26, 2026
A Telephone Hotline, A Vinyl Record, A Performance
Is anyone out there? Is anyone listening? Are we alone? In 1977, NASA launched the twin Voyager spacecrafts to try and answer these questions. Aboard both is the Golden Record, an artifact intended to communicate who and what we are. After almost 50 years and over 13 billion miles, this proverbial message in a bottle is the farthest human-made object from earth. If we were to send another message into the distant future, what message would we send?
To answer this, Mitu created a public telephone hotline (646-694-8050) prompting people to leave messages to the future. Utopian Hotline uses these voicemails alongside interviews with NASA astronauts, astrophysicists, astronomers, and middle school students to create a moment of community. This project invites audience members to gather under the dome of The Franklin Institute’s Fels Planetarium to re-imagine our shared future.
Call 646-694-8050 to answer the question: “How do you imagine a more perfect future?” These anonymous messages may be used as part of this or another performance of Utopian Hotline.
Performance Information
September 24-26, 2026
Sept 24 + 25 at 6 pm + 8 pm
Sept 26 at 1 pm, 5 pm + 7 pm
Museum admission is not included. Can be purchased separately at fi.edu.
Museum admission required for entrance to museum. Museum admission not required to attend the performance.
Pricing
$50 Supporter
$35 Standard
$15 Students & 25-and-Unders
$2 FringeACCESS
FringeArts Member discounts & benefits available
Venue
The Franklin Institute Planetarium
222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
About the Artist
Driven by a commitment to innovation, Mitu expands the definition of theater through methodical experimentation with the form. Founded in 1997, we are an artist-led organization that frames artmaking as a mode of research and inquiry. We share knowledge, spark dialogue, and strengthen our community through cultivating radical ways of reimagining our world. Mitu embodies this by way of our productions and exhibitions, trans-global research initiatives, artist support opportunities, education programs galvanizing the next generation of artists, and the curated programming of Mitu580, our venue in Brooklyn, N.Y. Mitu’s founding Artistic Director Rubén Polendo, and Co-Artistic Director Justin Nestor, lead an interdisciplinary group of company members in building bridges across ideas, cultures, and communities. Learn more at TheaterMitu.org
Creative Team
Rubén Polendo
Kayla Asbell
Denis Butkus
Michael Littig
Monica Sanborn
Stivo Arnoczy
Alex Hawthorn
Scott Jumawan-Spahr
Cinthia Chen
Dima Mikhayel Matta
Justin Nestor
Corey Sullivan
Isabella Uzcátegui
Ada Westfall
Supporters
Icon Producers
Mark and Tobey Dichter
Legend Producers
The Janet Yaseen Foundation
Executive Producers
Chris Deephouse and Donna Hunt
Accessibility
Wheelchair/Limited Mobility Seating and Sensory Kits Available.
Content Considerations
This production includes: Adult Language.
This event is appropriate for ages 7+
Health & Safety
Masks are optional, vaccines are not required. More information about FringeArts COVID policies can be found here.