James Caverly

JACKSONVILLE BEFORE THE WATER workshop

 

November 3 – 6, 2026

ASL Creative

IN RESIDENCE: November 3 – 6, 2026

Workshop Development
James Caverly- Writer
Andrew Morrill- Director
Performers- Raquel McPeek, Rayly Acquino, Mia Sanchez, Garrett Zuercher

SHOWING: November 6 2026

The Midwest has flooded.

Only a small percentage of residents have remained in Jacksonville, IL after years of heavy deluges. The lifestyle of the remaining survivors and refugees have gradually adjusted to the water–some more easier than others. And when the Deaf residents gather for the first time in decades, what stories will they share? More importantly, which stories do they want to preserve?

THEMES FOR EXPLORATION

Drawing on the story of Noah’s Ark, this workshop explores the preservation of Deaf culture in a changing landscape. Jacksonville was–is–a home for the Deaf community for years, yet residents are torn between remembering their town for what it was, what it is, or what they should leave behind. If their “Ark” can only carry one story of yours, what do you want to leave behind?

IRT Theater is a grassroots laboratory for independent theater and performance in New York City, providing space and support to a new generation of artists. Tucked away in the old Archive Building in Greenwich Village, IRT’s mission is to build a community of emerging and established artists by creating a home for the development and presentation of new work.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from New York State Council on the Arts and the New York State Legislature; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council; A.R.T./New York’s NYC Small Theatres Fund made possible with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation. Thank you to IndieSpace, and everyone who supports venues like ours in New York City.

ACCESS: IRT is a fully wheelchair-accessible facility. Please reach out to Kori Rushton if you have any accessibility questions or concerns, krushton@irttheater.org

PLEASE NOTE: All sales final and there is no late seating at IRT Theater.