This summer, visitors to Noccalula Falls Park in Alabama will have the opportunity to experience the story of Princess Noccalula, woman for whom the Noccalula Falls and the surrounding park are believed to be named after. The legend states the Cherokee woman chose to jump to her death from the falls, rather than marry a man picked for her by her father, instead of the man she truly loved.

Starting May 31, audiences will get to see her story enacted in a site-specific fashion at her namesake park with The Noccalula Experience. The production is by Brian Clowdus of Serenbe Playhouse, who happens to be an Alabama native who grew up visiting the park as a child. The diverse cast also boasts some impressive talent, with Sarah Elaine as Noccalula; Jonathan Varillas as Wa-ya; Philip Lopez as Tsu-la; Pedro Ka’awaloa as Noccalula’s Father; and Irene Bedard as the voice of Noccalula’s Mother (you might know Bedard as the voice of Pocahontas in Disney’s Pocahontas, or more recently as a Ghost Nation host on Westworld).

We spoke to Brian over email to learn more about the upcoming show.

No Proscenium (NP): Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background in the immersive arts?

Brian Clowdus (BC): I am the CEO of Brian Clowdus Experiences, a company which is now taking my environmental work all across the country and expanding at an unprecedented rate. I am also the founder & Executive/Artistic Director of Serenbe Playhouse, the nation’s premiere outdoor site-specific theatre company which was recently named One of the Top 20 Theatres in the Nation by Playbill.

I’ve performed and directed in Tokyo, London, Canada, Central and South America, The Caribbean, NYC, LA, and in almost every other major city in the United States.

NP: What, in a nutshell, is The Noccalula Experience about?

BC: The Noccalula Experience is the saga of a young woman torn between a powerful love and her sense of duty to her people. Infused with authentic elements of Native American culture, this original telling creates a brand new significance and brings more power and excitement than ever before.

NP: Why did you create this experience? What inspired you?

BC: Gadsden, Alabama, this is my hometown… I have always wanted to come back and tell a story where I grew up.

This venue is gorgeous and it was the perfect marriage of location, my home! This is the most immersive show I have ever done!

NP: Can you tell us about more the unique venue you’ll be using and how it ties back to your roots?

BC: We are in a gorge with the most incredible vistas you have ever seen! Actors are literally climbing on rocks wading through a creek and climbing trees… it is next level!

I grew up coming to this park as a kiddo, so seeing it come to life in this way with a show has really been an incredible and joy filled experience for me… My mother has never been more excited.

NP: How is the audience incorporated into the work?

BC: The audience is on their feet following the action. They are actively asked to follow and go from location to location.

NP: How are you designing around audience agency, consent, and safety?

BC: The trail is already laid out very safely and the park has given it some extra love to make it even more safe! We also have a Gator to get audience members down to the gorge who need assistance and we have benches scattered though out as well!

NP: Who is the ideal audience member for this show?

BC: It is great for all ages, truly! I do think our ideal audience member is one who loves the outdoors and embraces a sense of adventure!

NP: What do you hope participants take away from the experience?

BC: I hope they have a magical experience and also take away appreciation for Native American stories and legends. Almost our entire creative team is Native: playwright, composer, costume designer… so it has an authentic point of view.

Most importantly, I hope they find joy!

The Noccalula Experience runs May 31 — July 7 at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden, Alabama. Tickets are $17.50–22.50.

NoPro is a labor of love made possible by our generous Patreon backers. Join them today!

In addition to the No Proscenium web site, our podcast, and our newsletters, you can find NoPro on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, in the Facebook community Everything Immersive, and on our Slack forum.

Office facilities provided by Thymele Arts, in Los Angeles, CA.