The Story of the Orphan Train
SOLO SHOWS
- April 15, 1912–Memories of the Titanic
- Heroes of 9/11
- 72 Years to Women’s Suffrage
- Straight on Till Morning
- The Extraordinary Ordinary!
- A Tribute to Teachers
- Mothers, Daughters, Wives, Women
- Marching Out of the Sweatshop
- L.B. 4:15
- Woman’s Work
- Angels and Troublemakers
- Saints, Soldiers and Spies: Women and War
- Women Who Changed The World
- Far as the Eye Can See
- Voices from the Resistance
- Civil War Women
- Love in Action
- Into Possession of Myself
- The Story of the Orphan Train
- I Can’t Give You Anything But Songs: The Life and Work of Dorothy Fields
- Voices from Ellis Island
Listen to a Sample
How many were there?
At least 200,000, but maybe as many as 500,000. Fending for themselves on the streets of New York, homeless children were given a chance for a new life in America’s heartland by riding the orphan train. Orphans who remember the experience come to life and share a heartrending and forgotten part of history.
Study Guide available!
Running time : 75 minutes
Excellent performance. I would highly recommend this to other schools.
’Pippa’s theatrical performance about the Orphan Train was as good as any play on Broadway.’….‘The play was an emotional journey; all I could think about was what these children endured.’….These commentaries and more were expressed by authentic orphan train riders, descendants, and the public at the 50th Reunion of Orphan Train Riders of New York celebration in Minnesota. Awe-inspiring gratitude and appreciation from the entire assembly was expressed at the end with a standing ovation.’
Pippa’s performance was one of the most inspiring and captivating performances I have ever seen! She has a unique talent that enables her to bring her audience back in time. After the performance, my students wanted more and were immediately researching more historical information without any persuasion from me.
As one of the last children placed by the NY Children’s Aid Society in October 1930, I feel the account presented by Pippa is a very true and authentic history of the experiences which many of the children underwent. If tears are shed while listening to the stories, they are the same tears which were shed by many of the children.
Pippa White’s account of the Orphan Train story is masterfully accomplished. She very sensitively communicates a significant historical phenomenon that affected the lives of thousands of children and American families over a period of decades. Her effective use of simple costuming and excellent characterizations provide a lively, entertaining means of sharing a poignant message.