JOANIE OFF THE PONY: THE MERMAID OF NEW ORLEANS
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Media Contact: Constance Lewis, ArtSpan NOLA
(504) 264-2804
[email protected]
Join us July 19th at 2:00 p.m. for an interactive staged reading of a new French Quarter fairytale titled "Joanie Off the Pony: The Mermaid of New Orleans"
A Theatrical Work in Development — Audience Feedback Invited!!
On July 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., artists from New Orleans and Atlanta will gather at the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Performance Center (3rd Floor) for a special preview performance of Joanie Off the Pony: The Mermaid of New Orleans, a new theatrical work currently in development for its full premiere in 2028.
Written by Joan of Arc Parade founder Amy Kirk Duvoisin, Joanie Off the Pony evolved from a full-length play, The Mermaid of New Orleans, first presented at the Joan of Arc Project's annual Salon de Jeanne d'Arc in 2017. This new iteration embraces a multidisciplinary approach, blending theater, live music, improvisational movement, and collaborative performance.
Presented in partnership with ArtSpan NOLA and local dancer—and Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc member—Jennifer Ramos, the project also features Atlanta-based musicians Iriamu (Will Hamilton) and W8ng4ufo's. The musicians previously performed in New Orleans at the Marigny Opera House in 2025, accompanying Carl Dreyer's landmark film The Passion of Joan of Arc.
This developmental excerpt was produced by collaborator and Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc member Constance Lewis, whose work helped bring together the artists and creative partnerships behind the project. As Lewis notes, "Art creates connection. Collaboration turns that connection into community."
Free and open to the public, this immersive presentation explores the emotional and visual language of the larger work through live performance, music, and movement. Musicians and dancers deepen the narrative alongside the performers, creating a dynamic experience shaped by artistic exchange across cities and disciplines.
The July presentation marks the beginning of a two-year development process leading to the work's full-length debut in 2028, coinciding with the Joan of Arc Project's 20th anniversary. The following year, in 2029, New Orleans’ sister city of Orléans, France, will celebrate the 600th anniversary of Joan of Arc's April 1429 lifting of the Siege of Orléans. Joanie off the Pony producers and performers aim to present this piece in Orléans during this special commemorative year.
To assist in the development of this piece for its future local and international presentations, the July 19th audience is encouraged to participate in an open discussion and feedback session with the artists. This exchange offers a unique opportunity for community members to engage directly with the creative process and help shape the evolution of the work.
More than a preview, the event serves as a living workshop of ideas, performance, and collaboration—offering audiences a rare chance to witness a major theatrical work in motion.
"Joanie off the Pony: The Mermaid of New Orleans"
Sunday, July 19th 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Performance followed by Interactive Audience Discussion/Workshop @ New Orleans Jazz Museum
400 Esplanade Avenue, Third Floor Performance Center
Doors Open at 1:30 p.m.
2:00-2:45 p.m. Live Performance
2:45-3:15 p.m. Audience Q&A with Guided Discussion & Feedback
3:15-3:45 p.m. Meet & Mingle
4:00 p.m. Event Ends
Featuring:
W8ng4ufo's Musical Score & Performance ( Bill Taft- trumpet/guitar, Brian Halloran- cello, Will Fratesi- drums, Katie Butler- viola, and Billy Fields-keyboard/piano)
Iriamu (Will Hamilton): Musical Score & Performance
Jennifer Ramos: Dancer
Amy Kirk DuVoisin: Writer & Narrator
(504) 264-2804
[email protected]
Join us July 19th at 2:00 p.m. for an interactive staged reading of a new French Quarter fairytale titled "Joanie Off the Pony: The Mermaid of New Orleans"
A Theatrical Work in Development — Audience Feedback Invited!!
On July 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., artists from New Orleans and Atlanta will gather at the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Performance Center (3rd Floor) for a special preview performance of Joanie Off the Pony: The Mermaid of New Orleans, a new theatrical work currently in development for its full premiere in 2028.
Written by Joan of Arc Parade founder Amy Kirk Duvoisin, Joanie Off the Pony evolved from a full-length play, The Mermaid of New Orleans, first presented at the Joan of Arc Project's annual Salon de Jeanne d'Arc in 2017. This new iteration embraces a multidisciplinary approach, blending theater, live music, improvisational movement, and collaborative performance.
Presented in partnership with ArtSpan NOLA and local dancer—and Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc member—Jennifer Ramos, the project also features Atlanta-based musicians Iriamu (Will Hamilton) and W8ng4ufo's. The musicians previously performed in New Orleans at the Marigny Opera House in 2025, accompanying Carl Dreyer's landmark film The Passion of Joan of Arc.
This developmental excerpt was produced by collaborator and Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc member Constance Lewis, whose work helped bring together the artists and creative partnerships behind the project. As Lewis notes, "Art creates connection. Collaboration turns that connection into community."
Free and open to the public, this immersive presentation explores the emotional and visual language of the larger work through live performance, music, and movement. Musicians and dancers deepen the narrative alongside the performers, creating a dynamic experience shaped by artistic exchange across cities and disciplines.
The July presentation marks the beginning of a two-year development process leading to the work's full-length debut in 2028, coinciding with the Joan of Arc Project's 20th anniversary. The following year, in 2029, New Orleans’ sister city of Orléans, France, will celebrate the 600th anniversary of Joan of Arc's April 1429 lifting of the Siege of Orléans. Joanie off the Pony producers and performers aim to present this piece in Orléans during this special commemorative year.
To assist in the development of this piece for its future local and international presentations, the July 19th audience is encouraged to participate in an open discussion and feedback session with the artists. This exchange offers a unique opportunity for community members to engage directly with the creative process and help shape the evolution of the work.
More than a preview, the event serves as a living workshop of ideas, performance, and collaboration—offering audiences a rare chance to witness a major theatrical work in motion.
"Joanie off the Pony: The Mermaid of New Orleans"
Sunday, July 19th 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Performance followed by Interactive Audience Discussion/Workshop @ New Orleans Jazz Museum
400 Esplanade Avenue, Third Floor Performance Center
Doors Open at 1:30 p.m.
2:00-2:45 p.m. Live Performance
2:45-3:15 p.m. Audience Q&A with Guided Discussion & Feedback
3:15-3:45 p.m. Meet & Mingle
4:00 p.m. Event Ends
Featuring:
W8ng4ufo's Musical Score & Performance ( Bill Taft- trumpet/guitar, Brian Halloran- cello, Will Fratesi- drums, Katie Butler- viola, and Billy Fields-keyboard/piano)
Iriamu (Will Hamilton): Musical Score & Performance
Jennifer Ramos: Dancer
Amy Kirk DuVoisin: Writer & Narrator
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Where is it happening?
New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave,New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherJoan Of Arc Project
