Southwest Series Photo Writing Prompts

Inside the Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona

By Chris Dunmire

One of the Old West's most famous landmarks, the Bird Cage Theatre, still sits proud at the corner of 6th and Allen Streets in Tombstone, Arizona.

Though operated today as a self-guided tour museum, it's said to be "Tombstone's only historic landmark in its original state, preserved from its beginning in 1881, maintaining its lighting fixtures, chandeliers, drapes and gambling tables on the casino floor." (1) (2)

Today, many tourists visiting Tombstone make a special effort to see the Bird Cage Theatre, not only for its historic curiosities, but also because it's claimed to be haunted. The Sci-Fi Channel show Ghost Hunters (TAPS) conducted an investigation of the Bird Cage Theatre in 2006 and recorded multiple occurrences of paranormal activity (see Ghost Hunters reveal clip on YouTube).

I visited the Bird Cage Theatre on three different occasions between 2006 and 2007 and toured its upper and lower rooms with curiosity and intrigue (read more about my experiences). On my last visit the tour guide claimed the Theatre was the most expensive place in the area for a man to be entertained. One of the interesting facts about the theatre is that it was the site "of the longest poker game in western history, a house game where players had to buy a $1000 minimum in chips for a seat in the game." That was a lot of money in the 1800s, and the game ran for over 8 years!

"Today that poker table [of the longest game] still stands as it was left
with its chairs on the dirt floor."

What will learning more about this famous haunted historic structure and seeing images of the theatre's notorious past inspire in your creative writing? Adventure in, kick up your feet, and drink in some inspiration.

Bird Cage Theatre Front

Writing Prompt 1:

The Bird Cage Theatre had its heyday between 1881 and 1889. According to the Theatre, "The New York Times referred to it in 1882 as the wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast." Not only was it a night spot, but a day spot too. "In 9 years this lusty-den of iniquity never closed its doors 24 hours a day." It was the site of 16 gunfights and still has bullet holes in the ceilings and walls.

Can you imagine what life was like for those who worked for this establishment? The bartenders, entertainers, painted ladies? How about for its patrons?

Bullet Holes in the Theatre's Ceiling

Faces of the Bird Cage Theatre's Past

Writing Prompt 2:

Several walls in the theatre are hung with dozens of photos of those who've been connected with the Bird Cage as employees or other business professionals in the past. How does it make you feel to see the faded images of those who've come long before us, who are now long gone? If you were to travel back in time to meet any of them, what would you want to know about their lives?

The Bird Cage Theatre's original custom-made cherry wood
bar and back bar still stands today.

Writing Prompt 3:

"The bar is flanked by a dumb waiter that sent drinks upstairs to the ladies of the night and their men friends. Today it exists as Tombstone's only remaining bar of the 1880s in its original building."

When I approached the bar on one of my visits, the woman standing behind it said, "Wyatt Earp's DNA is on this bar." Theoretically, what she said was true. This was a popular spot for the Earp's, Doc Holiday, and all of the other famous names that go along with Tombstone's "The town too tough to die" image.

Imagine you are standing at the bar in the 1880s. Which of Tombstone's greatest heroes or villains would you like to sit and chat with for an evening? Or would you be too afraid to?

Fatima

Writing Prompt 4:

When you first walk into the lobby of the Birdcage Theatre, a larger-than-life sized painting ("Fatima") hangs tall on the wall. The painting's inscription reads:

"FATIMA"
(later known as Little Egypt)
[real name Farida Mazar Spyropoulos]
The original painting of Fatima who was an Oriental Belly Dancer, she played the Bird Cage in 1881. This was a gift from her to the Bird Cage to hang in the bar. It has hung in this spot since 1882."

The theatre's guide points out several repaired knife and bullet holes visible in painting, noting they are "scars" inflicted by drunken patrons from the theatre's wild past.

Isn't it noteworthy how artwork, such as this painting, and many other famous art pieces hanging in museums have a life of their own that transcends generations (and sometimes centuries) of our own limited human life spans? What does that teach you about the value of art as a mode of communication, as a self-contained piece of history with its own story to tell? What is the story this painting tells?

Bird Cage Theatre Casino Floor

Writing Prompt 5:

Fixed inside the Bird Cage Theater is a stage for entertainers, a gambling casino and dance hall, and 14 bird cage crib compartments suspended from the ceiling lining both sides of the dance hall where "soiled doves" or ladies of the night plied their trade to willing customers (it was legal back then).

Looking at the remaining photos here of the casino hall and cribs, the theatre stage, gambling paraphernalia, and historic memorabilia, create a story of characters and events that could have unfolded one popular evening at the Bird Cage Theatre. See also: More Tombstone, Arizona, photos.

Original Bird Cage Cribs

Bird Cage Stage

On-Stage View

Back Stage Historic Memorabilia

Gambling Paraphernalia

Photos and Prompts © 2007 Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.

(1) All quotes used in this prompts feature are cited from the Bird Cage Theatre's visitor brochure. (2) Photos are used with permission from the theatre for educational purposes only. Learn more historical information about the theatre at Wikipedia under Birdcage Theatre.

Creativity Portal hopes you enjoyed this feature, which is copyright © Chris Dunmire and not available for reprint on your Web site, blog, or publication. Please respect the creator's copyright by not duplicating this material elsewhere.

About the Author | More by Chris Dunmire
Chris Dunmire is an artist, humorist, workshop facilitator, and the driving force behind the Creativity Portal Web site. Chris trained as a creativity coach with Eric Maisel, Ph.D. and inspires people of all ages with her Web sites and printable playbooks — including the world-famous Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant.

10/25/07