Crankie Show Amplifies Voices of Artists Living With Mental Illness

Oral historian Peggy Douglas brings powerful stories to the stage through an Appalachian art form.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Peggy Douglas, an oral historian, playwright, and performance poet, has created a unique show called "The Crankie Show" that features the stories and artwork of people living with serious mental illness. The show utilizes the traditional Appalachian art form of crankies, which are long, illustrated scrolls that tell true-life stories. The 11 stories in the show come directly from the experiences of the artists, who have often been overlooked or misunderstood by society. With the support of local art teachers and a master craftsman, the artists illustrated their stories on 12-foot-long scrolls, which are then presented on stage with narration.

Why it matters

This project is important because it gives a platform to artists living with mental illness, whose stories and perspectives are often marginalized. By sharing their experiences through the unique medium of crankies, the show aims to challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, and amplify the voices of a community that has historically been underrepresented.

The details

The Crankie Show was first presented last summer and, due to popular demand, will be performed again at Barking Legs Theatre on February 22, 2026. The show features 11 stories from artists living with serious mental illness, who worked with art teachers Frances McDonald, Judy Mogul, and Courtney Chandler to illustrate their narratives on 12-foot-long scrolls. The scrolls are then presented on stage in custom-made crankie boxes, with the stories narrated by Peggy Douglas and Ray Bassett. After the performance, the artists participate in a talkback with the audience to share their experiences and perspectives.

  • The Crankie Show was first presented last summer.
  • The Crankie Show will be performed again at Barking Legs Theatre on February 22, 2026.

The players

Peggy Douglas

An oral historian, college professor, playwright, performance poet, and musician who created The Crankie Show to amplify the voices of artists living with mental illness.

Frances McDonald

An art teacher who has been working with the artists featured in The Crankie Show for years.

Judy Mogul

The director of the AIM Center, an organization that has supported the artists featured in The Crankie Show.

Courtney Chandler

The director of the Hart Gallery, an organization that has worked with the artists featured in The Crankie Show.

Randy Fairchild

A master craftsman who created the custom-made crankie boxes used in the show.

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What they’re saying

“I was overwhelmed today with the power of this performance, 'The Crankie Show.' It was not only a demonstration of the power of art to transform people's lives, but also the power of the embrace of community to support people going through mental illness.”

— Eleanor Cooper (Facebook)

What’s next

The Crankie Show will be performed again at Barking Legs Theatre on February 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The Crankie Show is a powerful example of how art can be used to give a voice to marginalized communities and challenge societal perceptions. By sharing the stories and artwork of artists living with mental illness, the show aims to foster greater understanding and empathy, and to celebrate the resilience and creativity of this often overlooked community.