HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
MEET EMILY DICKINSON
Living History / 40-75 min / Ages 14 and up
American Culture / Aprox 50 min / Adults
This beautiful story depicts the real person behind the legendary poet, Emily Dickinson.
Discover what life was like for Emily growing up in Amherst, MA, and what inspired her to write her insightful poetry. Meet the important people in her life, and learn of the events that led to her desire to become a recluse.
This program is adaptable to any space and can run from 40 - 75 minutes in length. Paddy portrays the poet dressed in "bridal white" in this remarkable storytelling piece that engages the listener to look into the soul of Emily and gain a better understanding of the person within.
Whether you are a lover of literature or poetry, or you enjoy seeing a historic person's life being told on stage, this program is sure to delight. It plays wonderfully in high schools, colleges, libraries, historic societies, book and literary clubs, and senior centers, to name but a few.
The Belle of Amherst by William Luce
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MEET HARRIET BEECHER STOWE
Living History / 45-60 min / Ages 14 and up
Renowned Author of Uncle Tom's Cabin
When I first started to research a storytelling piece on Harriet Beecher Stowe, I wasn't too certain that I would find her story to be interesting and appealing to the general public. I couldn't have been more wrong. Here was a woman who embodied the strength and fortitude of great women of the nineteenth century.
Harriet was born into an established New England family of preachers, her father being a very prominent First Congregational Minister and her brother Henry Ward, equaling that fame as a preacher and great debater of the period. Harriet was well educated and extremely gifted, yet she could not publicly speak or even lead a prayer in church. She grew up at a time when slavery was on the minds of everyone, and she found herself relating to the abolitionists- despite the risks that accompanied it. She grew increasingly angry with the government and lack of intervention from the churches. When her family moved to Cincinnati, OH, which was at the crossroads between the North and the South, tempers were flaring and Harriet did her best to establish some order. Her biggest obstacle was she was a woman and wasn't given much credence. She turned to writing to help educate people and get her message across.
This one-woman storytelling program on Harriet Beecher Stowe relates her life and times, and many personal insights into this amazing woman. Harriet was a wife, a mother, an educator, a writer, and more importantly, a visionary. She felt chosen to write a book unlike any other, not only of that period but even today. Harriet may have been a small five-foot white woman from New England but she had a profound impact on America. Why even President Lincoln upon meeting her said, "So this is the little lady who started this big war."
Harriet's story is an inspiration to all of us struggling to do the right thing, and believing in ourselves. In this program, I try and capture the heart and soul of this gentle powerhouse and share her story with all who will listen.
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BEATRIX POTTER
Living History / 50 min / Ages 14 and up
Beatrix Potter, the author of THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT and other stories, remains the number one best-selling children’s author of all time. Beatrix came from a wealthy, upper middle-class family and was reared by a governess for most of her early life. She was not allowed to play with other children, so as for result, her pets, (which she had many of) became her dearest companions. She developed a love for drawing and painting and used her pets as models. Her vivid imagination coupled with her unique artistic talent gave birth to the charming stories that have warmed the hearts of billions.
Beatrix however, was not only a remarkable artist and author. Her love for nature and the English countryside led her to become a farmer and conservationist. In 1943, when she passed away, she bequeathed 15 farms and over 4,000 acres to the National Trust. She is truly, an inspirational woman.
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Click here to download materials to help you publicize your event.
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