Join Mr. and Mrs. French in one of their favorite parlor games - the creation of "living pictures" using costumes, props and imagination!
Seating is limited in the historic Studio. Advance reservations are required.
Tableaux Vivants or Living Pictures are pictures formed inside a frame with living persons, in imitation of paintings. They became a popular form of entertainment in the 19th century and the French family home was no exception. French's daughter Margaret wrote "My father had the showman's instinct for dramatic effects, and we produced tableaux that were frequently so good that we would plan a repeat performance and have the neighbors in to watch. He made a large frame and stretched a layer of mosquito netting across the front to give a softer appearance to the 'picture'. Then he would drape various members of the family and friends with yards of lovely materials, pose them behind the frame, which was clearly lighted by kerosene lamps and supporting reflectors, and lo! a charming living picture would result." (Margaret French Cresson, Journey into Fame,1947)
Returning for its third performance in the Arts Alive! series, the Tableaux Vivants program is conceived and created by Doria Bramante, an award-winning theater artist and documentary filmmaker. Her documentary, The Refugees of Shangri La, has been screened all over the world and has received the support of the United Nations and the State Department. She has been
featured in Smithsonian Magazine, on NPR, and has written for humanitarian publications. Doria has helped bring to life several immersive living history plays and loves working in historical spaces. Doria is currently a fellow in writing for the Women's International Study Center in Santa Fe where she is building a theater piece about Mary Hunter Austin and is working in Europe to bring to life a piece surrounding the artist Hilma af Klint. In addition, Doria continues to act in film and the stage. She is a long term member of the Caravan Stage Company and recently worked alongside Zendaya in the new Luca Guadagnino movie. She is a proud graduate of NYU, Tisch School of the Arts. @bethesun