The Questionably True Story Of Lavinia Fisher

by Riya Mukerjee

The story of America's first- alleged- serial killer, The Questionably True Story Of Lavinia Fisher looks at the legend of the Six Mile Inn through two perspectives placed across time. As Nancy, a historian living in the 21st century, dives deeper into the life of Lavinia Fisher, she finds herself more entangled in the conflicting details, missing information and suspect records that surround her. As stories and...

The story of America's first- alleged- serial killer, The Questionably True Story Of Lavinia Fisher looks at the legend of the Six Mile Inn through two perspectives placed across time. As Nancy, a historian living in the 21st century, dives deeper into the life of Lavinia Fisher, she finds herself more entangled in the conflicting details, missing information and suspect records that surround her. As stories and worlds clash together, she must reckon with her own role in telling Lavinia's story.

The Questionably True Story Of Lavinia Fisher is an exploration of storytelling, identity, and historical revisionism. Through the story of Lavinia Fisher, it challenges the idea of how we tell stories and what weight those stories hold.

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The Questionably True Story Of Lavinia Fisher

Recommended by

  • Ashley Baumgartner: The Questionably True Story Of Lavinia Fisher by Riya Mukerjee
    “

    What happens when we remember folklore more than fact? Lavinia Fisher becomes America's first female serial killer. Mukerjee makes a compelling case for looking at the real women lost to legend. The women in question are Lavinia Fisher, an alleged highwaywoman, and Lavinia, an alleged enslaved woman owned by the Fisher family and one of the bodies discovered near the Six Mile Inn. Audiences are asked to reckon with whose history gets recognized (even when mostly fiction) and whose history (grounded in fact) is buried to build the folklore.

    What happens when we remember folklore more than fact? Lavinia Fisher becomes America's first female serial killer. Mukerjee makes a compelling case for looking at the real women lost to legend. The women in question are Lavinia Fisher, an alleged highwaywoman, and Lavinia, an alleged enslaved woman owned by the Fisher family and one of the bodies discovered near the Six Mile Inn. Audiences are asked to reckon with whose history gets recognized (even when mostly fiction) and whose history (grounded in fact) is buried to build the folklore.

    ”

Character Information

Many characters in this show, particularly Mrs. Criss and Mrs. Cross, serve as representations of social roles. The casting of these characters may be fluid across gender, but should be intentional in representing the social commentary that these characters serve to provide.
  • Lavinia Fisher
    A young southern woman with an unpredictable temperament.
    Mid to late 20s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • John Fisher
    A viscous, but cowardly, man.
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Nancy
    A 21st century historian.
    Mid to late 20s
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Mrs. Criss
    A faded southern belle.
    50s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
  • Mrs. Cross
    A faded southern belle.
    50s
    White
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
  • The Reverend
    A person of faith.
    40s
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
  • The Judge
    An elderly judge. Mildly confused.
    70s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
  • David Peeples
    A leader among the people of Charleston.
    30s
    White
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Townspeople
    Southerners.

Production History

  • High School, Apple Valley High School, 2023