Historical Stage Play

I aim to create a historically accurate stage play telling the stories of women and African Americans living in early twentieth century New Orleans. During this time a civil war raged throughout New Orleans as vice laws attempted to contain the city’s underworld activities to a single red light district known as Storyville. With the growing number of Jim Crow laws and with the women’s suffrage movement in full effect the city’s moral reformers attempted to repress the rights of African Americans and the economically disadvantaged women who worked in the brothels. The story will follow the rise and downfall of three famous madams: Lulu White, Josie Arlington, and Willie Piazza whose growing power threatened the city’s respected upper class moral reformers. These madams were rebels who mocked the traditional values and roles that society forced upon women near the end of the Victorian era and challenged racial boundaries imposed by the city. …show more content…
The Godfathers jazz: Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, and Louis Armstrong all began their careers in the Storyville brothels. Due to the color of their skin these musicians were unable to get work in city’s more respectable establishments. Jazz music was quickly condemned by the city’s upper class moral reformers and efforts were made by the city to repress and segregate its performers. These jazz legends will be represented on stage and playing live music for burlesque performers recreating the district’s infamous parties and live dance scene.

My intention for this stage play is to reexamine this time in history from a feminist perspective and to give a voice to the marginalized groups of this era. Live music, live performances, strong mixed race female characters, and real history will transport audience members back in time to discover hidden battles for