Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

Witches Brew LA Interview – Mysteries of The Raven Societea Explores the World of Poe

Notice: Witches Brew LA has changed the content and story of the event since publication of the article below. The information below no longer applies but is still available for archival purposes.

 

Edgar Allan Poe and his dark poetic diction form the basis of numerous experiences in the immersive realm, ranging from Knott’s Scary Farm’s Forevermore maze,  to LA’s Downtown Repertory Theatre Company’s The Assassination of Edgar Allan Poe, to Force of Nature‘s aptly named Edgar Allan Poe, to Ghost Walk Riverside’s The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Needless to say, that’s a lot of Poe. However, Mysteries of The Raven Societea is offering a unique take on Poe from all the others: This is not a literal reading or adaptation of just one story, it’s a whole immersive world to enter and explore. This experience will offer a dark art marketplace, a cocktail/tea party, witch-themed nature walks across 12-acres, food offerings (with vegan options), and live entertainment. While their first date was canceled due to the Quarantine, they are back to announce a new date of August 9th. witches brew la interview

Haunting had the unique opportunity to sit down with Jacqueline Dannielle, the creator of The Raven Societea, and AJ Danna, the writer of Mysteries of The Raven Societea, to discuss this new experience and what guests should expect.

 

Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

 

1. In your own words what is Mysteries of The Raven Societea?

AJ: Mysteries of The Raven Societea is a new immersive theater experience, debuting as part of the expanded Witches Brew LA original event, The Raven Societea. In the world of the story, The Raven Societea is a group of unique individuals assembled by esteemed Edgar Allan Poe scholar and professor Alexander Hulbert. In addition to teaching at Bailey University, Professor Hulbert is widely respected for his non-fiction and fiction writing. His famed Poe Forevermore novels offer imagined sequels to classic Poe stories. Perhaps his greatest achievement, however, was founding The Raven Societea, as a place to celebrate the eternal nature of art, classy wardrobe, and high tea, in a time when the modern world seems cruel and filled with change.

You have received a coveted invite to join The Societea, with your first meeting occurring in August. Throughout the event, you will encounter a number of mysterious and whimsical fellow members of The Raven Societea; the more you interact, the more you will see the narrative story stitching together. Even with a bounty of artists, desserts, cocktails, and tea to enjoy, not all is well within The Societea… and they need your help.

 

Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

 

 2. Can you speak to the talented team behind Mysteries of the Raven Societea?

Jacqueline: Being a brew aficionado (coffee, tea, beer, you name it!) and a practicing witch, it only made sense that any events we conjured up consist of both of these elements. I wanted to create a space where creatives, spooky souls, and magick combined. Since our inception in 2019, Witches Brew LA has hosted three original events across Southern California (Witches Brew: Magickal Marketplace & Brew Fest, Witches Brew Presents: La Ofrenda, and The Raven Societea).

 

AJ: I am primarily an actor, by trade. Part of my background includes long-form and short-form improv training from The Groundlings and ComedySportz LA. Even before I was working in the immersive theater industry, I was drawn to theme park experiences where guests step into a heavily themed world, and are encouraged to freely interact with its inhabitants. I am fortunate to have found fulfilling work in that field, including performing improv roles for interactive experiences at Los Angeles Haunted Hayride (“Reggie McTavish” of Midnight Falls), Universal Studios, and Warner Bros.

When writing Mysteries of The Raven Societea, one of my goals was to assemble a cast from eclectic entertainment backgrounds, including immersive theater, traditional theater, theme parks, and variety showcases. We are very grateful for the involvement of our performers, which feature talented alumni from Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town Alive, The Magic Castle, E3W Productions, Shine On Collective, Fun Home, and more.

 

Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

 

3. What inspired your team to create this experience? 

Jacqueline: I have always been drawn to the Victorian era, from Gothic literature to the stunning architecture and mourning customs. Whilst sitting in the garden of a friend’s Queen Anne style home (circa 1891), I began to envision our next concept, The Raven Societea. This event would bring together not only magick and Victorian gothic influences but would also pay homage one of the greatest literary figures of the time, Edgar Allan Poe.

After our first gathering in November of 2019, we realized that we wanted to expand on two things. We wanted to incorporate immersive theater elements, and we needed more Poe (one can never have too much Poe!). Enter our brilliant writer/producer known as AJ Danna.

We are also happy to have partnered with immersive entertainment promoter Fever (House of Spirits LA, Nutcracker Cocktail Feté) to bring this event to the public.

 

4. There have been many iterations of Poe in traditional and immersive theater, can you speak to how your experience will be interpreting and presenting Poe in a different and unique way?

AJ: Rather than presenting literal adaptations of Poe stories, Mysteries of The Raven Societea features a mix of interpretations, woven into a brand-new storyline. Within the world of The Raven Societea, you will meet characters who revere Edgar Allan Poe and his work, much like you and I. However, you will also encounter non-self-aware characters directly inspired by fictional characters from his stories, and experience overarching themes mirroring specific elements of Poe’s oft-misunderstood real-life experiences. Mysteries of The Raven Societea presents, in itself, a wholly original story for you to become a part of – while also exploring callbacks to Edgar Allan Poe’s life and lore.

 

Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

 

5. With so many different types of immersive theater, can you speak to the format of this experience? Will the audience be led through multiple rooms or allowed to explore the area freely? Can the audience members interact and speak with the actors or are they meant to quietly observe the happenings around them? Does the audience have agency to change the narrative or outcome of the story?

AJ: When attending The Raven Societea event, you may encounter select characters while freely exploring portions of the grounds, in your own time. However, one integral element to Mysteries of The Raven Societea is the hour-long immersive tea party, which requires a timed-entry reservation. The experience includes an assortment of teas, mini-cocktails, and desserts for you to enjoy. During the tea party, you will be treated to in-universe live performances on an intimate gazebo stage, including burlesque and magic. Additionally, interactive characters will be mingling throughout the seating area, conversing with guests. We highly encourage guests to interact and speak with our cast of characters, as they are all eager to tell their story, and share theories (or hints!) regarding the unfolding mysteries.

If you are particularly keen in your interactions, you may even be selected by our characters to participate in a very exclusive séance, held inside the historic 1898 Kellogg House.

 

Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

 

6. Locations often become characters in their story. Why did you pick the Heritage Museum of Orange County? Does the location influence the story?

Jacqueline: Heritage Museum of Orange County is an absolute gem. Whilst touring the grounds, we felt as though we were transported to a different time. The stunning architecture of the Museum’s historic buildings, along with the lush gardens, provide an excellent backdrop for The Raven Societea.

 

AJ: Aside from already setting the stage of historic Pennsylvania beautifully, elements of the grounds factor into the story. Taking that one step further, we have also found in-universe ways to justify any quick glimpses of adjacent properties you may see beyond the trees. As a kid who grew up hunting for hidden elements in theme parks, such as the ship sails rising above Disneyland’s New Orleans Square, I am proud to integrate those clever little elements in our experience. I suspect eagle-eyed immersive fans will appreciate them, too.

 

Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

 

7. This community is always looking for a puzzle. Does your experience have a mystery to solve that the audience can actively engage with?

AJ: Indeed it does! At the time our guests enter the story, something unfortunate has recently caused a ripple within The Raven Societea. Utilizing an in-universe souvenir prop, which guests can obtain through a brief hunt, clues and conspiracies will come to light by interacting with our characters.

 

8. During the Immersive Party, there will be burlesque, tea leaf readings, and live entertainment. Do the immersive aspects continue while the performances are taking place?

AJ: Yes; all entertainment during the tea party is in-universe. Careful listeners may catch additional details and hints during the various performances and speeches on stage, as well as from interactions in the seating area. We also have Zachariah the Witch on hand, serving up elements of the immersive show and true-life spiritualist practices.

 

Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

 

9. Going back to the Tea Party, are there cocktail and food options for vegetarians or those with dietary restrictions?

Jacqueline: Yes, we will have dessert options available for vegans, vegetarians, and those with dietary restrictions as part of our Tea Party seating. In order for us to ensure we have the correct amount of alternative options available, we do ask that any guests with dietary restrictions reach out to us via email ([email protected]). We also plan to have a variety of food vendor options available for purchase onsite.

 

10. Outside of the Immersive Party, there are also multiple walking tours of the Historical location as well as a Magickal Marketplace, Beer Garden, and live entertainment. Do the walking tours tie into the Poe theme? What should we know about the experience outside of the immersive show?

Jacqueline: There will be a variety of experiences available for guests to enjoy throughout the event. The Magickal Marketplace will feature over 40 artists and apothecaries, many with themed wares made exclusively for the event. The guided Haunted History tour of the Kellogg House will provide guests a glimpse at the home which will later serve as the stage for an exclusive séance experience. Guests will also have the opportunity to embark on a Witch-Themed Nature Walk on the museum’s 12-acre grounds. An occult blacksmith will also be on hand performing live demos! Guests should definitely look out for Poe references as they make their way through the grounds.

 

AJ: The Kellogg House is home to a truly incredible collection of authentic Victorian wares. Guests may also spy a few of Professor Hulbert’s belongings among them.

 

Mysteries of the Raven Societea | Witches Brew LA Interview

 

11. What do you want people to walk away from this experience with? What do you want them to feel or learn?

AJ: I hope the show resonates alongside our audience’s belief in the importance of escapism, and creating your own happiness in an ever-changing world. We live in a polarizing time, not entirely unlike Poe’s time, when aspects of our opinions, beliefs, and personal lives can lead to public shaming and scrutiny. Sometimes it seems as though we can’t escape the noise, whether it be online or in the news. The characters in our show have faced their share of negativity, including some in the ways Poe did. So, they dropped out of the mainstream world, and escaped to a place where they were accepted. They exchanged their social media usage for letter-writing and Victorian living. Some people may see this escapism as selfish and ignorant, believing that you must face the hard facts of the changing world… evolve or face death. But there is indeed an alternative, for people like you; The Raven Societea is a secret place for unique individuals to celebrate the “eternal” things which bind us together, such as creativity, art, writing, storytelling… and the simple joy of getting dressed up for high tea! Those are aspects of the world that no one can ever take away. They were true in Poe’s day, just as they are now. And, if you believe in them, we hope you will join The Raven Societea. See you there!

 

Find out more information on Witches Brew LA on their website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook page. Purchase tickets for Mysteries of The Raven Societea HERE. Check out our Event Guide for more immersive entertainment throughout the year.

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About The Author

Taylor Winters
Taylor has loved immersive theater since his first experience at ALONE in 2013. Since then, he has written, produced, & directed immersive theater, consulted for numerous immersive companies, acted in others, and attended even more. He has his PhD in Bioengineering, an MBA in Organization Leadership, and currently works fixing broken hearts.

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