Presenting Le Code Noir
Experience powerful voices through compelling performances.
A Living History Performance
Voices in the Dark Repertory proudly presents "Le Code Noir," a powerful historical outdoor drama that brings the complex, antebellum history of Louisiana vividly to life.
About the Production
Le Code Noir is a functional journey through history, co-written by Mark R. Sumner and Tommye Myrick. Set with Congo Square as its centerpiece, the play utilizes the creative dramatization of historical events to explore profound themes in Louisiana and U.S. history. It centers on regionally and nationally recognized figures, crafting a story of survival that generates a new sense of appreciation for the fascinating events that shaped this state and this country.
A Chronicle
This production is a living history that explores themes and events of profound consequence in human history. It specifically chronicles the life of an 18-year-old enslaved African girl who arrives at the New Orleans auction block from Saint-Domingue in 1794. Over the next thirty years, her life intersects with major American historical events, including:
- The Treaty of San Ildefonso
- The Louisiana Purchase
- The Revolt of 1811
- The Battle of New Orleans
A Powerful Debut
Le Code Noir was first previewed (in-part) in Congo Square on Sunday, December 3, 2017. This impactful debut was viewed by more than 200 people, who watched over 40 actors, singers, dancers, and drummers unite to present this crucial chapter of Louisiana’s history.
