This Man Belongs To Me
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It’s 1934. You just made the last movie before the Hays Code went into effect. Everyone is a complete mess, but it’s all going to be okay, as long as no one finds out.
Join us for a larp about the people who tell stories, and the stories they can't tell.
In the 1930s, Hollywood was out of control - sex, violence, and general degeneracy filling the celluloid of every film. Something had to give before the movie makers were stamped out by the moral majority of America. Enter the Hays Code, which not only protected the public from the uncovered nipple or occasional swear-word, but also ensured that all the content was white, straight and very, very safe.
Which of course is a problem for you.
This is the story of when the cast and crew of “This Man Belongs To Me” rolls through the town of Whistle Stop. The last film made before the Hays Code went into full effect in 1934, the movie is every bit as queer and as sexual as the creatives who made it… and is their last gasp of expression before they’re fully censored. For the townsfolk they visit, this is the most glamorous night of their lives - and a chance for many of them to step out of the closet for just a few moments. Each night has been a different town and a new party before the tour loads back up on the train. And as the train leaves the station each night, the town returns to normal, the cast leaves behind their consequences, and the next adventure begins.
This Man Belongs To Me is about the night that the train breaks down, and everyone has to sleep in the bed they made.
It's 1934 and Pinnacle Motion Pictures have rushed production of their latest project “This Man Belongs to Me”, a new adaptation of “Dracula”. After a grueling schedule, they’ve managed to release the film just in time to avoid the harsh new enforcement of the Hays Code. As the last movie released before the new restrictions, “This Man Belongs to Me” has created quite a buzz, and Pinnacle owner Albert Cunard wants to use the attention to push the studio straight to the top of the Hollywood pile.
Determined to do everything possible to make the movie a success, Cunard has ordered a lavish roadshow theatrical release. Packing up the studio’s most glittering stars in the production, the film has hit the road. For the cast and crew, it’s a gasp at freedom they can’t find in the tabloid-soaked streets of Los Angeles: every day, they do a press junket followed by screening with adoring fans, then party like it was the 20s all over again. And if the leading man gets a little sloppy with the bellhop, or a dresser disappears for a bit too long in the lady’s room, who cares? You’re packing up back on the train and off to the next stop before the end of the night. But in the small town of Whistle Stop, the train broke down, and the cast and crew has to overnight in a small, rural inn, shoulder-to-shoulder with the media and townsfolk. After months of tension, can the cast keep their secrets when in the lion’s den?
This Man Belongs to Me is a two-day freeform larp set in the dazzling final days before the Hays Code enforces “traditional American values” on all of Hollywood’s films. It’s set in a glamorous 1930’s roadshow production that throws the libertine cast and crew of the film in with the press clamoring for gossip and locals in the midst of the Great Depression, all managed by studio execs desperate for success. An unrepentantly queer experience, rooted in its era but designed for modern players, “This Man Belongs to Me” puts you in a position of ambition and compromise: How much are you willing to risk for your dreams—and when do those risks change who you are?
This Man Belongs to Me is played over two full days, with bookend nights and meals before and after.
On Thursday, you’ll arrive in the late afternoon, and enjoy dinner and social time with your fellow participants. This is your chance to get to know each other, settle in, and relax before the workshops begin the next day.
On Friday, workshops begin at noon after brunch. Throughout the afternoon, we’ll work with you to develop a shared history, connections, and prepare you for play. Then, after an out-of-role dinner, you’ll enter character, picking up right after the screening of the movie.
Play will continue as the cast and crew have to spend the night, continuing into the night and throughout Saturday. Brunch and dinner will be served in character, and the game will end Saturday night, with socializing to follow. You’ll be able to spend the night, and send you off on Sunday with brunch and an optional debrief.
All role-play is mechanics-free, and you’ll be provided a full character sheet before the larp. While you’re welcome to talk to your fellow players before the larp, no activity is required before arrival to play This Man Belongs To Me. Emphasis is on slow-burn relationships and emotional escalation, and at the end, the cast and crew get back on the train while the press and townsfolk stay home… unless you choose differently for your character.
This Man Belongs To Me contains material that includes: adultery, alcoholism, bad parenting, biphobia, codependence, drug addiction/use, emotional abuse, gambling, helplessness, homophobia, infidelity, misuse of authority, neglect, physical abuse, racism, sexism, sexual assault, sexual coercion and situations, and transphobia
This Man Belongs To Me is a story of queer romance and desire, but has many tales to tell within that framework. To ensure we offer an opportunity for queer larpers to play, sign-ups will have two stages.
First, we’ll have an Early Bird application period from February 5 to March 6. During this period, you can apply for a guaranteed spot in the larp, and receive a $100 discount on the ticket price as well as priority casting. Our priorities will be to promote diversity and give queer larps the chance to explore this historical setting. Also, during this time, we’ll accept applications for any scholarship tickets.
After the early-bird period ends, we’ll open tickets for general admission. These tickets will be first-come, first-serve. Please remember that Lavender House reserves the right to refuse service to anyone, for any reason, at any time. Please see our Refund Policy for more details.
Included in the price of the larp are three nights in a shared room at the DeKoven Center, along with six meals: dinner on Thursday, brunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Due to meal timing and to allow you to sleep, we’ve replaced breakfast and lunch with brunch, but we’ll also have snacks throughout the day to make sure you get enough to eat.
Tickets for This Man Belongs To Me cost $1,000; Early Bird tickets will be discounted to $900. You may pay for tickets either in a lump sum or via our payment plan. Our payment plan includes an initial payment of $400 ($300 for Early Bird) and a monthly payment of $100, beginning in April.
We will refund any ticket purchases and payments in full within 15 days of purchase, minus a $30 processing fee. After 15 days, we will only refund purchases and payments if we refuse service to you. Please note: we do not allow ticket resale.
The Dekoven Center is located at 2000 Wisconsin Ave, Racine, WI 53403 đź“Ť, about halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee. While there is some public transportation available via Wisconsin Coach Lines, we recommend travel by car, as there is ample parking.
We strive to make This Man Belongs To Me as accessible as possible, and we ask that you share any questions or concerns you may have with us - you’re the expert on your needs. If you require reasonable accommodations, please let us know, and we’ll solicit this information after you join the cast. Additionally, the DeKoven Center is wheelchair accessible, can handle most food allergies or restrictions, and is prepared to assist us with your needs.
Joshua Graham
Emily Sanchez
Joshua Graham
Sarah Helwig
Cyn Jerkins
Samara Martin
Joseph Perry
Jordana Robinson
Emily Sanchez
Ericka Skirpan
Angella Baker
Russ Danna
Susan Danna
Samuel Gerace
Ryan Hart