2022 SICK NOTES: Letter From an Epidemic
Deviser and Immersive Actor
A new, unique digital experience that combines filmmaking, historical fiction, and performance in order to explore the 1878 New Orleans Yellow Fever Epidemic.
Digital visitors can explore the website, following different characters through their journey of the outbreak. Each character represents a different piece of 19th century New Orleans: Adeline, who runs a boarding house; Joe, her partner; Eleanor, the milliner downstairs; Moss, the conman; Caolfhoinn, the Irish domestic; and Carlota, a Cuban woman headed back to her country of origin.
Sick Notes was created and conceived of by Brian Egland, Cassandra Erb, Owen Ever, Shannon Flaherty, Denise Frazier, Ian Hoch, Chris Kaminstein, April Louise, Jessica Lozano, Richon May, and Kiyoko McCrae.
It was filmed at the Beauregard-Keyes House (1113 Chartres St., New Orleans, Louisiana)
The Uninvited
Deviser and Immersive Actor
Set in 1874, The Uninvited follows nine characters who live in, or orbit around, the Gallier House. It is six years after architect James Gallier Jr.’s death, and his wife, two of his daughters, and household staff members Charity and Rene are preparing for an evening of entertaining when a mob of young men passes by, seeking to re-segregate the integrated school next door. News of the mob and an uninvited guest disrupt the household and expose the race and class divisions embedded in the characters’ lives. The event is based on a real-life incident that took place in December 1874.
The Uninvited is the second historical, immersive performance created by Goat in the Road Productions. The Stranger Disease, which premiered in March 2018, was a collaboration with the Louisiana State Museum and Friends of the Cabildo. The show won four Big Easy Theatre Awards (Best Play, Best Director, Best Ensemble, and Best Original Work of Theatre), as well as a 2019 History in Progress Award and an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). These awards are the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
Stranger Disease
Deviser and Immersive Actor
Presented by the Louisiana State Museum (LSM), Friends of the Cabildo (FOC), and Goat in the Road Productions, The Stranger Disease is an immersive, original, historically inspired performance about yellow fever and love across the color line in post-Reconstruction New Orleans.
The Stranger Disease won four Big Easy Theatre Awards (Best Play, Best Director, Best Ensemble, and Best Original Work of Theatre), as well as a 2019 History in Progress Award from the AASLH Leadership in History Awards, and an Award of Excellence. These awards are the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
During the show, audience members are able to freely explore the historic property, following the characters and story lines they choose. An accompanying exhibit, free and open to the public during the weekdays, highlighted LSM’s collection and the rich history of Madame Johns’ Legacy.
Set in 1878, The Stranger Disease follows seven people who live in, or orbit around, Madame John’s Legacy, as rumors of what would be one of the city’s worst yellow fever epidemics begin to spread. Navigating post-Reconstruction New Orleans, as well as a romance that crosses the color line, the characters must decide whether to stay or leave the city.
