The Carriage House Story

---

In December of 2023, sisters Megan and Ivy returned home to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to visit their parents, Jenny and Gerry Mallory, for the holidays. Their parents owned the Ross Mansion Bed and Breakfast, a beautifully restored historic home that seemed to glow with Christmas magic—like stepping back in time.

At the back of the property sat an old Carriage House. Once filled with storage boxes, it had plain walls, cement floors, and a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. During their visit, Megan and Ivy—who had both been working in Orlando for The Walt Disney Company—felt a growing desire to create something of their own, something that would let their imaginations run free.

They explored a few spaces in downtown Hattiesburg, but nothing felt quite right. Then one day, their mom suggested, “What about the Carriage House?” And that’s when it clicked—what if the Carriage House became a theater? When they returned to Orlando, the sisters began dreaming, sketching, and planning what this new venture could be. That spark became the beginning of In Wonderland.

In the summer of 2024, Megan and Ivy took a leap of faith and returned to Hattiesburg to bring their vision to life. Their grandfather, Jim Jones, traveled from California to help them build the stage, lighting, and set—based on their designs and vision. They repurposed chandeliers from the mansion and collected vintage frames, portraits, and illustrations from estate sales and Facebook Marketplace to create a whimsical “Gallery of Fairytales and Fables” along the walls. Every detail was designed to spark imagination and wonder in all who entered.

By November 2024, the Carriage House was complete—but the story was far from over. Megan and Ivy wrote five original songs for In Wonderland with the help of Ivy’s longtime friend and talented musician, Chandler Wells, a Belmont University graduate from Nashville. Chandler arranged the music beautifully, and in February 2025, they traveled to Nashville to record the album.

Ivy, an extremely talented and professional singer, brings the story to life on stage as Alice, captivating audiences with her voice and performance.

In May, In Wonderland: An Immersive Theatrical Experience opened its doors to the public. Since then, Megan and Ivy have cherished every smile, laugh, and moment of wonder shared inside the Carriage House. For them, this is not the final chapter—it’s only the beginning. They can’t wait to turn the page and continue the adventure with The Storybook Society, creating even more original stories, music, and magic for years to come.