Jenifer Lewis, who voices Mama Odie in The Princess and the Frog and its subsequent Disney Parks attractions, toured Tiana’s Joyful Celebration at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis this week, marking her first visit to the first-ever museum exhibition centered on Princess Tiana. Lewis sang, danced and interacted with families during her visit, reprising her role as Mama Odie throughout the experience.
What is ‘Tiana’s Joyful Celebration’?
Set in 1920s New Orleans, the exhibition immerses visitors in Princess Tiana’s world as she prepares for a Mardi Gras season parade. The interactive experience spans art, music, dance and food, with activities including designing Mardi Gras float costumes, experimenting with percussion, learning second line dances and preparing Tiana’s father’s gumbo recipe.
The exhibition features original voice performances from the film’s cast, including Anika Noni Rose as Princess Tiana, Lewis as Mama Odie, Michael-Leon Wooley as Louis, Jennifer Cody as Charlotte La Bouff and Bruno Campos as Prince Naveen. The exhibition is presented in English and Spanish, with American Sign Language and Braille elements throughout.
In a statement, Carmen Smith, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering, said, “Bringing this vision to life, especially after the opening of the Disney Parks attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, brings more of Princess Tiana’s inspirational story to the community, inside and outside of our parks. This exhibit is a space where families and friends can share joy, learn from one another, and feel the heartbeat of New Orleans.”
The exhibition is produced by Walt Disney Imagineering and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which is the world’s largest children’s museum. Following its Indianapolis run, Tiana’s Joyful Celebration will travel to museums nationwide over five years, with stops including the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio; Discovery Cube Los Angeles; The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan; Fort Worth Museum of Science and History; Children’s Museum of Atlanta; and Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa.
Where and when can you see ‘Tiana’s Joyful Celebration’?
Tiana’s Joyful Celebration is on display at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis through Jan. 3, 2027, before beginning its national tour.
Featured image photo credit: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Provided by Disney Experiences
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