History Storytelling through Chautauqua

Chautauqua actors are storytellers who teach history through performance. Their performances are based upon several months of research that has been conducted through the careful examination of primary source documents.

The Chautauqua Storyteller initially engages the audience first in an autobiographical character performance and immediately following, remains in character through a question and answer period with the audience. Finally, the storyteller breaks character and continues the question and answer period as the historian.

By extension, using the Chautauquan methodology, T.O.R.C.H. presents stories of historical events using multiple perspective primary sources in order to educate the audience about conflicts that surrounded the history of those events and issues of the legacy that continues to appear in present day society.

*Pre and post lessons are available (upon request) commensurate with Core Curriculum.

Historical Origins of Chautauqua 

The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) was started in 1878 to provide those who could not afford the time or money to attend college. By 1880, the Chautauqua platform had established itself as a national forum for open discussion of public issues, international relations, literature and science. Some years later, talent agencies provided speakers and entertainers putting together shows of their own, which traveled to small towns across the United States and Canada. These were known as the ‘circuit chautauquas” or “tent chautauquas.”

By 1880, the Chautauqua platform had established itself as a national forum for open discussion of public issues, international relations, literature and science. In the 1970’s, Chautauqua re-emerged as a Humanities program where Scholar/Actors who had done extensive research on a given historical figure would portray that figure in a Living History format. (Information link may be found on our Resource Sharing Page)

“One of the most important qualities that history generates is empathy-to have the capacity to put yourself in the person’s place.”

– David McCullough