Evangeline Drowning
by
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Saranda: It’s impossible to describe what it was like. It was horrible, beyond horrible, everybody knows that. But it wasn’t just like a day, or two days, and we were all just fine again. It was day after day of horrible things. Months. It felt like purgatory. Worse. In a situation like that you have to become numb. There’s only so much hurt you can take. How can you describe something like that? You can’t. There’s no words. I…I’ll never forget the things that happened, and I’ve tried, trust me. It still feels like some surreal dream. I had gone up to the city to get my grandmother. Also, I volunteer there at the hospital. My mom and I got my grandmother, but then Mom and I stayed after the evacuation because people were needed for evac duty at the hospital. We had put my grandmother on a bus to Houston, she was safe and on her way out, so we figured she was fine. After the hurricane hit we were put on lockdown at the hospital. A Guardsman came in a few days in, and told us he had seen our grandmother ill up at the Dome. He said she was vomiting, which is not good if you don’t have the ability to rehydrate. We didn’t have water in the hospital so I knew they probably didn’t at the Dome. It was so hot. The same soldier ignored his orders and shuttled us over there to see if we could find her. There were heroes in all of that. He knew we were desperate. I wish I knew his name. (A beat.) I will never forget what I saw on the way there. The boat ride... Never. I stopped counting bodies after 6. The smell. Dead dogs. Dead people. If Hell has a river I’ve ridden on it. At some point I remember closing my eyes. My mother screamed. I opened them, looked over, and saw this little boy. Probably only like five. Maybe four. It was hard to tell. Dead. Face up. His eyes were still open. He looked really dead but really alive at the same time. He was tied to a streetlamp by his foot so he wouldn’t float away. God. I… (Pauses.) That’s the first time I ever saw my mother cry. The last too. I can’t even… (Pauses.) How do you forget that? When we got to the Dome we did eventually find my grandmother. She was dead too. We don’t even know how she got off the bus. At least we found her. At least we know. You’d think it couldn’t get worse than that. It did. I don’t care what “authorities” say didn’t happen in the Dome. I saw things happen to people that should never…I saw good people turn evil. There’s no other word for it. Hell can’t be worse. My grandmother…I couldn’t grieve. (Pauses.) How do you grieve when you have no food, no water, no money, no nothing? Just numb. Some sort of survival thing kicks in and you go on autopilot. I was a zombie. I don’t think I felt anything for months, but when it hit me it hit me so hard. I totally cracked. I mean cracked. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. I feel like most of me is still missing. I’m definitely different. How could I be the same? How could any of us be? It didn’t have to happen. None of it did. That’s the thing, it didn’t (She stops.) I... (Pauses, gathers herself.) It’s a lot harder letting go of someone when you know they didn’t have to die. I miss her. She’s also what keeps me going too. God, she was such a strong woman. She lived strong and I’m sure she died strong. I know that much. That little boy though. God, my heart still breaks for him. I wonder if he died alone? A child should never have to die alone. I pray for him every day. How do you forget that?
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About the Book
What would you do if your hometown and its people were under immediate threat? What if you lost your home, your land, your family belongings, and no one seemed to care, much less lend a hand? What if the youth in your community fled without option as your family and culture decayed in their wake? What if the lives of your neighbors or grandparents were unnecessarily lost while politicians seemed incapacitated and outsiders idly observed? What if all of this was avoidable, occurring because of man-made problems? What would you do? The youth of South Louisiana are forced to ask themselves these difficult questions every day, growing up in a land where threat, loss, and survival often take precedence over the traditional spoils of youth. In South Louisiana, man-made environmental problems are contributing to the loss of one football field of land every 60 minutes, resulting in a devastating disintegration of personal lives and irreplaceable heritage. Formulated directly from on-site interviews, Evangeline Drowning is a riveting new drama that investigates the socio-environmental crisis in Southern Louisiana through the lens of those it impacts the most, notably the voices of its future. “The most powerful play I have seen in a long time, maybe ever.” “An impressive, meaningful, and emotionally engaging work. As funny as it is insightful.” “Every educational program in the country needs to produce this play.” “A story that desperately needs to be told.” “Beautiful. Moving. Humorous. I’ve never seen anything that gripped me so tightly.” “Exciting new docudrama which explores the environmental crisis of the Louisiana wetlands from the perspective of its youth.” “A dynamic, moving, and a powerful message concerning the human, and environmental challenge taking place in the Louisiana coastal region, our nation, and our planet.”
About the Author
Kurt Gerard Heinlein is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Missouri State University where he coordinates the BFA Actor Training Program. Kurt is a working member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA. He is also an active member of The Society of American Fight Directors, Fight Directors Canada, and serves as executive leadership for The Association of Theatre Movement Educators. Kurt has performed and directed extensively since completing his MFA in Acting from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), with union performance credits that include New York, regional theatre, daytime drama, film, commercial print, and over 25 national television spots. His directing credits include New York, regional, and university theatre, and his stunt, aerial, and combat work have been seen in daytime drama, numerous national commercials, and in the professional and educational theatre circuits. Kurt completed his Ph.D. in theatre from Louisiana State University, and has been awarded several honors for his work in Green Theatre (performance that promotes socio-environmental betterment). Notable publications include Koko and the Performance of Conservationism, and Green Theatre: Promoting Ecological Preservation and Advancing the Sustainability of Humanity and Nature. In 2009, NPR dubbed Kurt “The emerging father of American Green Theatre.” Kurt maintains a consistent dedication to environmental education, noted by his volunteer work for The Nature Conservancy, The National Park Service, and the SAG sponsored BookPals Literacy Program. Kurt has received several awards for his volunteerism and public service, including his work surrounding the development of Evangeline Drowning. Kurt is married to Courtney Heinlein and they have two wonderful children together.