Seeking Destiny In The Desert — Firefly Tapestry’s ‘Valediction’ (Review)

A few months ago, I was contacted out of the blue to participate in a tarot reading by an organization called the Fates Gathering. It was performed by a young woman with kind eyes named Trinity, whose manner was incredibly poignant and touching and spoke to me deeply. Afterward, we connected via social media, where Trinity regularly shared her saga of sleeplessness. Unsure of why she was experiencing this or how to help, I offered condolences and support from afar.

A month or so later, I received a text out of the blue from someone named Farren, who was connected to Trinity. (Gasp, a good, old-fashioned ARG, much to my excitement! It’s been too long!) Farren expressed concern for Trinity in vague terms, which I could tell was leading up to something. Not too long after, I was contacted by Trinity, who shared that Farren was missing and asked if I’d heard anything.

We eventually learned that Trinity had been sleepless because her dreams have a tendency to enter the waking world, and it’s been happening more and more as of late. Farren, in a flurry of worry, left to find a mysterious oracle in hopes that it might help him (and Trinity) understand why her dreams are taking life, and possibly how to fix it. That mission took him — and me — to Nevada, at the northern edge of Death Valley. A possible omen of what’s to come.

All this, as you’ve probably guessed by now, is the setup for Firefly Tapestry Storytelling’s overnight experience Valediction: The Art of Saying Goodbye, which I attended with my permanent plus one.

We took advantage of early arrival to avoid attempting to traverse miles of gravel roads in the pitch-black of winter. Pulling up to a literal castle in the hills, we were ushered into our guest room with our heads down, as not to see any potential spoilers. Once inside, we got cozy. After driving six and a half hours, we had another five hours before our show with strict instructions not to leave our room, which sounded daunting, but with such incredible views in an large, warm, comfy room we were cozy and content. Naps and snacks were enjoyed, with a warning to bundle up for showtime, which would include a 20-minute outdoor section in 30-degree temperatures.

Finally, the knock at the door came. What transpired over the next hour and a half was a journey through memories — both joyful and heavy. There were moments of play, where laughter and banter are encouraged, and moments of grief, where hope is the undertone.

Get Briana Roecks’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

SubscribeSubscribe

Dreams are shared, and we see through the veil of worlds as we build to an encounter with the all-knowing Archivist. They are exceedingly tall, lighting up the room and carrying a wisdom beyond words. This show is all about the art of saying goodbye. A hard goodbye. A life-changing ending of a friendship. It’s beautiful and painful at the same time. We collectively looked out into the unknown and accept it for all of its possibility, the potential for utter ecstasy as well as bitter agony.

The highs and lows of this show are perfectly balanced. It’s one of those experiences where you get out of it what you put into it, and if you are willing to fully engage with its characters’ most vulnerable questions, the payoff is feeling both seen and cared for as you experience a full range of emotion. This show will leave you with thoughts and feelings about life, friendship and the process of grief that are meaningful to experience and sit with. It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a show this deep, with such a rich emotional bouquet.

The light ARG leading up to it was non-intrusive on day-to-day life, but just enough to help build the story, an emotional foundation for the themes explored and central relationship experienced in the performance.

The overnight experience included an epilogue the next morning, where we spent a few tender moments with Farren over coffee and pancakes. It’s a sweet little button on a show that already carefully builds in aftercare. Care for your dreams, your thoughts, your emotions, your relationships, your self.

This show was clearly a momentous undertaking for everyone involved, and the long journey off the beaten path for a 90-minute show is a lot to ask of its audience. But experiencing it & considering the work put into this meaningful night, I realize I’d have probably gone even further, if asked. This cast and crew wore so many hats, from actors and stage managers to front desk clerks, housekeepers and coffee makers. A small team of four does it ALL. I am utterly blown away by the logistics that were required to run this experience and how well they executed it. Hats off and a round of thundering applause to them.

This show is for anyone who has lost someone or something they care about, is circling that looming possibility, or is willing to open up for the sake of a moving experience. Or is just up for a good adventure to the middle of nowhere. Would I do this show again? Absolutely. Getting the opportunity to spend the night at this incredible venue is worth the trek out. The creators of Valediction endured a five-month delay to bring this experience to life, and I’m in awe of everything they did to make this show happen. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

Valediction: The Art of Saying Goodbye, from Firefly Tapestry Storytelling, ran Jan 12 -14, 2024, tickets were $150.

Discover the latest immersive events, festivals, workshops, and more at our new site EVERYTHING IMMERSIVE, home of NoPro’s show listings.

NoPro is a labor of love made possible by our generous Patreon backers. Join them today and get access to our Newsletter and Discord!

In addition to the No Proscenium website and our podcast, and you can find NoPro on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and in the Facebook community also named Everything Immersive.