Ohio Chautauqua is a 5-day event combining living history, music and entertainment, education, theater, and audience interaction in an exciting cultural event the entire community can enjoy.
This year's theme is Journey Stories. The series will explore the people and events that helped shape our world. Featured characters are: Titanic survivor Edith Russell, 1849er J. Goldsborough Bruff, Indian captive Olive Ann Oatman, philosopher and writer Henry David Thoreau, and Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Ohio Chautauqua 2015 program is fun for the whole family! During the day, audiences can explore different aspects of the theme by attending hands-on workshops for children and special adult programs presented by the scholars in venues throughout Greene and Clark Counties.
Each evening, a different living history program will take place under the Main Stage Tent (located at Clifton Presbyterian Church, 183 N. Jackson Street in Clifton) and will begin with local musical entertainment. During these presentations, a scholar becomes a figure from the past, giving a unique monologue that showcases the person's importance in our culture. The audience then has the opportunity to ask questions of the character. The evening concludes after the scholar steps out of character to answer more audience questions. Audience members can meet and talk with performers after the presentation.
Ohio Chautauqua 2015 will travel to four exceptional communities across the state, including Clifton. The tour will stop in the Greene County village from Tuesday, June 30th through Saturday, July 4th. Please see the schedule below for more specific information on the programs offered, or visit the Village of Clifton's website by clicking the link provided.
The schedule for the tour will be as follows:
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
10:00 a.m. - Debra Conner leads youth workshop, "Carried Away" at the New Carlisle Library. Consider examples of Titanic era travel art (posters, luggage stickers, etc.) and create your own.
2:00 p.m. - Hank Fincken leads adult workshop, "The California Trail-Then and Now" at the Yellow Springs Library. Take a slide-illustrated journey along the California Trail and discuss the beginning and the end of the gold rush.
6:45 p.m. - Springfield Pianist Clara Blackwell at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
7:30 p.m. - Martin Luther King, Jr. story performed by Marvin Jefferson at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
10:00 a.m. - Hank Fincken leads youth workshop, "Gold Fever: To Go or Not To Go; That Is The Question" at the Cedarville Library. Play theater games and debate the details of gold rush fever.
2:00 p.m. - Dianne Moran leads adult workshop, "A Profound Destiny" at the Xenia Library. A closer look at boundaries changed by wars, westward expansion, and general attitudes of Americans toward Native peoples.
6:45 p.m. - Leslie Stratton, Principal Harpist for the Dayton Philharmonic at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
7:30 p.m. - Titanic survivor Edith Russell story performed by Debra Conner at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
10:00 a.m. - Marvin Jefferson leads youth workshop, "The Power of the Written Word!" at the Afro-American Museum in Wilberforce. Discuss issues that matter to young people and write letters seeking solutions.
2:00 p.m. - Debra Conner leads adult workshop, "Titanic Surprises" at the Clark County Historical Society's Heritage Center. Discover some interesting facts and discuss why the Titanic still fascinates people today.
6:45 p.m. - Bud Eagle Wolf, Native American Wind Flute Instrumentalist at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
7:30 p.m. - Indian captive Olive Ann Oatman story performed by Dianne Moran at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
Friday, July 3, 2015
10:00 a.m. - Kevin Radaker leads youth workshop, "Picturing Nature" at the Xenia Library. Listen to passages from Thoreau's Walden and illustrate nature scenes.
2:00 p.m. - Kevin Radaker leads adult workshop, "Thoreau's Passion for the Wild and the Wilderness" at the United Senior Services building in Springfield. Learn how Thoreau influenced the wilderness preservation movement.
6:45 p.m. - The Springfield "Cardinal Squares" square dance performance at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
7:30 p.m. - Gold Rush '49er J.G. Bruff story performed by Hank Fincken at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
10:00 a.m. - Dianne Moran leads youth workshop, "Eyes to the West!" at the Clifton Gorge Naturalist Center in Clifton. Interact with artifacts and animals, and experience life on a wagon train heading West.
2:00 p.m. - Marvin Jefferson leads adult workshop, "Dr. King's Last Great Dream: The Poor People's Campaign" at the Afro-American Museum in Wilberforce. Examine Dr. King's plan to bring about economic equality.
6:45 p.m. - Glen Helen inspired duo Scott Lindberg and Amy Blue at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
7:30 p.m. - Henry David Thoreau story performed by Kevin Radaker at the Main Stage Tent, Clifton.
Concessions will be available, but feel free to bring your own picnic if you wish. Although there are 500 seats under the Main Stage Tent, some folks prefer to bring their own lawn chairs. The events will take place rain or shine, and all programs are fully accessible. Services for people with disabilities include designated parking, wheelchair seating areas, and a sound amplification system.
Take a step back in time and come face-to-face with history. We look forward to seeing you June 30th through July 4th!