Frightfully Fun Art Tours Begin Friday at the High

For three years, Laura Floyd Wood—Holy Innocents' Episcopal School drama teacher and professional actor—starred in the Serenbe Playhouse production of “Sleepy Hollow” as the narrator, a role she originated. Now, Floyd Wood has used that experience to create a kind of “creepy” art tour, as she calls it. Ghostly Guided Tours by Serenbe Playhouse begin Friday, Oct 7, at the High Museum of Art, as part of the High’s First Fridays programming.

In the performance tour, Floyd Wood, Lower School drama teacher Raven Owen-Beyer, and actor David Burns will guide groups to view selected American art works from the Victorian era, while costumed students follow along, performing.

“The High approached the artistic director of Serenbe Playhouse, Brian Clowdus, about creating a scripted Halloween experience at the museum, and he contacted me,” Floyd Wood said about the concept for the event. “We chose the artwork, and then I wrote the performance tour.

“I'm thrilled for our students to have an opportunity with Serenbe Playhouse and the High Museum."

Floyd Wood’s idea was to focus on a combination of furniture, paintings and sculpture on each tour. Included, for example, is a foreboding painting called “Moonlight” by Ralph Albert Blakelock, and the “Medea” marble sculpture by William Wetmore Story. (In ancient Greek tragedy, Medea was a sorceress who was no stranger to murder and mayhem.)

Also featured is the painting “Lady in Black Velvet,” Robert Henri’s portrait of Eulabee Dix. Dix wears all black and stands against a dark background, “as if to suggest that the promise of domestic happiness has already been extinguished,” High curators said.

“The scariest part, I believe, is with the live actor who will play the artist who did the painting ‘Moonlight,’” Floyd Wood said. “One of his patrons actually kept him prisoner.”

Floyd Wood recommends that young guests on the tour be about the age of a third-grade student and older.

Tours require onsite signup in the Taylor Lobby, Wieland Family Pavilion. Space is limited, so to ensure a spot, arrive at least 15 minutes before tour time. Tours are at: 6, 6:30, 7, 8, and 8:30 p.m. Order tickets here.

The Ghostly Guided Tours by Serenbe Playhouse were conceived and written by Laura Floyd Wood, and feature other theatrical contributions from Holy Innocents'. The tours were designed by Mike T. Morin, and directed by Floyd Wood and Raven Owen-Beyer. Music direction is by Elizabeth Lamback and Erin Martin, and storytellers are Daniel Burns, Floyd Wood and Owen-Beyer.

Jack McGinnis plays the ghost of Ralph Albert Blakelock, Olivia Freides plays the ghost of Eulabee Dix, and Alexa Marcontell is the ghost of the cat lady. Preston Cross serves as the technical assistant.

Creepy crawlers are: Maggie Belenky, Luke Cravey, Mary Evelyn King, Louise McKown, Patrick Myer, Rachel Nelli and Griffin Mulcahy. Music is by cellist Sam Cravey.