Chautauqua 2008 June 19-22 at the Pike County Fairgrounds
"That's Entertainment!"
"That's Entertainment!"
P. T. Barnum
Born July 5, 1810 in Bethel, Connecticut, Phineas
Taylor Barnum was remembered best for his most
lasting legacy—his circus; however, he had already
achieved great fame, financial wealth, and a
reputation as a showman well before entering the
circus business in 1870. Barnum believed he
performed a great service to humanity through his
shows. Good, moral entertainment was a social
pressure valve, bringing brief happiness to “those
needful [of] . . . proper relaxations and
enjoyments.” While Barnum never missed an
opportunity at self-promotion, he also played the
role of idealist and crusader, traveling the country
to deliver inspiring lectures and promote positive
legal reform.
April 1871 marked the end of Barnum’s life of many
successes. His was a life that was, in many ways
itself, “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
Born July 5, 1810 in Bethel, Connecticut, Phineas
Taylor Barnum was remembered best for his most
lasting legacy—his circus; however, he had already
achieved great fame, financial wealth, and a
reputation as a showman well before entering the
circus business in 1870. Barnum believed he
performed a great service to humanity through his
shows. Good, moral entertainment was a social
pressure valve, bringing brief happiness to “those
needful [of] . . . proper relaxations and
enjoyments.” While Barnum never missed an
opportunity at self-promotion, he also played the
role of idealist and crusader, traveling the country
to deliver inspiring lectures and promote positive
legal reform.
April 1871 marked the end of Barnum’s life of many
successes. His was a life that was, in many ways
itself, “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith, history professor at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO, has
portrayed P. T. Barnum, William Clark, and Andrew Carnegie more than 150 times in both
academic and public forums. Smith holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Akron,
a master’s degree in Museology from Syracuse University, and a BA in History and
Political Science from Mount Union College. Before joining the faculty at Lindenwood,
Smith spent thirteen years as director of a historical society in Ohio and a history
research library in St. Louis. He is the recipient of the 2007 President’s Award as
Teacher-Scholar at Lindenwood University. His most recent book is Seeking a Newer
World: The Fort Osage Journals and Letters of George Sibley, 1808-1811, dealing with
the experiences of the chief trade factor at Fort Osage in Missouri. Smith is now writing
The Education of William Clark for the University of Nebraska Press, analyzing the ways
Clark’s “western trip” altered his world view and life.
Today, Jeffrey Smith lives in a century home in St. Louis with his wife, Kris Runberg, and
their teenage daughter, Lucy. Perhaps not coincidentally, he shares a birthday with
Phineas Taylor Barnum.
Jeffrey Smith, history professor at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO, has
portrayed P. T. Barnum, William Clark, and Andrew Carnegie more than 150 times in both
academic and public forums. Smith holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Akron,
a master’s degree in Museology from Syracuse University, and a BA in History and
Political Science from Mount Union College. Before joining the faculty at Lindenwood,
Smith spent thirteen years as director of a historical society in Ohio and a history
research library in St. Louis. He is the recipient of the 2007 President’s Award as
Teacher-Scholar at Lindenwood University. His most recent book is Seeking a Newer
World: The Fort Osage Journals and Letters of George Sibley, 1808-1811, dealing with
the experiences of the chief trade factor at Fort Osage in Missouri. Smith is now writing
The Education of William Clark for the University of Nebraska Press, analyzing the ways
Clark’s “western trip” altered his world view and life.
Today, Jeffrey Smith lives in a century home in St. Louis with his wife, Kris Runberg, and
their teenage daughter, Lucy. Perhaps not coincidentally, he shares a birthday with
Phineas Taylor Barnum.
P.T. Barnum will be portrayed by
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith
Margaret Mitchell
Born in Atlanta in 1901 as a granddaughter of the
Old South, where stories were passed around like
platters of fried chicken at every family gathering,
Margaret Mitchell took her storytelling abilities to
another level and had Gone with the Wind
published 35 years later. In her late teenage years,
Mitchell had many male admirers and spent the next
few years investing time in romantic relationships
and with family at home, as opposed to focusing on
writing. But she soon committed to utilizing her
talent for storytelling and eventually submitted Gone
with the Wind to a New York talent scout at an
Atlanta train station. Not even a year later, Mitchell’
s story was in print and subsequently began
shaping the way Americans—and people
throughout the world—view the Civil War and
Reconstruction. Apart from the Bible, no other book
has sold more copies in hardcover.
Despite the public's hunger for a sequel, Mitchell
would never write another word of fiction after she
finished Gone with the Wind. She died at age 48 as
a result of injuries sustained after being hit by a
speeding car while crossing an Atlanta street.
Born in Atlanta in 1901 as a granddaughter of the
Old South, where stories were passed around like
platters of fried chicken at every family gathering,
Margaret Mitchell took her storytelling abilities to
another level and had Gone with the Wind
published 35 years later. In her late teenage years,
Mitchell had many male admirers and spent the next
few years investing time in romantic relationships
and with family at home, as opposed to focusing on
writing. But she soon committed to utilizing her
talent for storytelling and eventually submitted Gone
with the Wind to a New York talent scout at an
Atlanta train station. Not even a year later, Mitchell’
s story was in print and subsequently began
shaping the way Americans—and people
throughout the world—view the Civil War and
Reconstruction. Apart from the Bible, no other book
has sold more copies in hardcover.
Despite the public's hunger for a sequel, Mitchell
would never write another word of fiction after she
finished Gone with the Wind. She died at age 48 as
a result of injuries sustained after being hit by a
speeding car while crossing an Atlanta street.
Margaret Mitchell will be
portrayed by Debra Conner
portrayed by Debra Conner
Debra Conner
Debra Conner is an Ohio native who has lived in Parkersburg, West Virginia since 1972.
She holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Virginia and a MFA in
creative writing from Warren Wilson College. She is currently self-employed in the
commercial advertising business. For over twenty years, she was an adjunct instructor in
the English department of West Virginia University-Parkersburg. Also a poet, Conner
conducts workshops and residencies in creative writing. She is part of the Ohio Arts
Council's writer in residence program, and she has published an essay about that
experience in “Teaching Writing from the Writer's Point of View,” which was published by
the National Council of Teachers of English. In addition, her writing has appeared in
publications such as The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry
and Ohio Schools magazine.
Conner began her career as a Chautauquan portraying Emily Dickinson in 1997, thanks
to a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then, she has added in-
character portrayals of Zelda Fitzgerald, Margaret Mitchell, Margaret Blennerhassett and
Rebecca Harding Davis to her character offerings. "It's my best chance to be a famous
writer," she claims. She has performed for Humanities Councils in several states,
including Maryland, Arkansas, Ohio and Virginia.
Debra Conner is an Ohio native who has lived in Parkersburg, West Virginia since 1972.
She holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Virginia and a MFA in
creative writing from Warren Wilson College. She is currently self-employed in the
commercial advertising business. For over twenty years, she was an adjunct instructor in
the English department of West Virginia University-Parkersburg. Also a poet, Conner
conducts workshops and residencies in creative writing. She is part of the Ohio Arts
Council's writer in residence program, and she has published an essay about that
experience in “Teaching Writing from the Writer's Point of View,” which was published by
the National Council of Teachers of English. In addition, her writing has appeared in
publications such as The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Fifty Years of West Virginia Poetry
and Ohio Schools magazine.
Conner began her career as a Chautauquan portraying Emily Dickinson in 1997, thanks
to a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then, she has added in-
character portrayals of Zelda Fitzgerald, Margaret Mitchell, Margaret Blennerhassett and
Rebecca Harding Davis to her character offerings. "It's my best chance to be a famous
writer," she claims. She has performed for Humanities Councils in several states,
including Maryland, Arkansas, Ohio and Virginia.
Walt Disney
Walt Disney stands out as very possibly the
most influential individual shaping American
society in the middle third of the 20th century.
Innovating in such aspects of filmmaking as
animation design, sound and color filmmaking,
wildlife photography and amusement park
design, Disney excelled in the mediums of
film, phonographic recording and television.
He was born in Chicago, IL in 1901. His,
golden period occurred between 1905 and
1910 in Marceline, MO where he experienced
a childhood filled with farm animals and
elaborate escapades. Enduring his share of
ups and downs in life and work, Disney still
managed to maintain a positive and creative
attitude that lead to his ultimate success as
one of the most well-known cartoon film
producers of all time.
From Snow White to his final vision of EPCOT,
Walt Disney never failed to entertain viewers
and create interest as he made an
unsurpassed contribution to the entertainment
industry. Disney died in 1965 in Los Angeles,
CA, just missing the release of his final
animated production in 1967, The Jungle
Book.
Walt Disney stands out as very possibly the
most influential individual shaping American
society in the middle third of the 20th century.
Innovating in such aspects of filmmaking as
animation design, sound and color filmmaking,
wildlife photography and amusement park
design, Disney excelled in the mediums of
film, phonographic recording and television.
He was born in Chicago, IL in 1901. His,
golden period occurred between 1905 and
1910 in Marceline, MO where he experienced
a childhood filled with farm animals and
elaborate escapades. Enduring his share of
ups and downs in life and work, Disney still
managed to maintain a positive and creative
attitude that lead to his ultimate success as
one of the most well-known cartoon film
producers of all time.
From Snow White to his final vision of EPCOT,
Walt Disney never failed to entertain viewers
and create interest as he made an
unsurpassed contribution to the entertainment
industry. Disney died in 1965 in Los Angeles,
CA, just missing the release of his final
animated production in 1967, The Jungle
Book.
Walt Disney will be portrayed by
William Worley
William Worley
William Worley
William S. Worley is an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Missouri-Kansas
City and an experienced Chautauquan. His historical interests include Missouri and
Kansas City history along with that of the various characters he performs. Currently, he
regularly takes on the persona of Kansas City political boss, Tom Pendergast,; President
Harry S. Truman; basketball inventor, James Naismith; Jewish compatriot of John Brown in
Bleeding Kansas, August Bondi; and, of course, Walt Disney.
Worley is a “public historian,” in that he attempts to get historical topics out into
communities where people can enjoy them, react to them, and even take issue with them.
He believes that history is not something to be put on shelf, but to be lived and discussed.
Married with three grown sons and two grandchildren, Worley presents programs in
Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. He has been a scholar-performer in Chautauquas in
each of those states as well as Colorado, New Hampshire, Illinois and the Northern
Mariana Islands in the Pacific.
William S. Worley is an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Missouri-Kansas
City and an experienced Chautauquan. His historical interests include Missouri and
Kansas City history along with that of the various characters he performs. Currently, he
regularly takes on the persona of Kansas City political boss, Tom Pendergast,; President
Harry S. Truman; basketball inventor, James Naismith; Jewish compatriot of John Brown in
Bleeding Kansas, August Bondi; and, of course, Walt Disney.
Worley is a “public historian,” in that he attempts to get historical topics out into
communities where people can enjoy them, react to them, and even take issue with them.
He believes that history is not something to be put on shelf, but to be lived and discussed.
Married with three grown sons and two grandchildren, Worley presents programs in
Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. He has been a scholar-performer in Chautauquas in
each of those states as well as Colorado, New Hampshire, Illinois and the Northern
Mariana Islands in the Pacific.
Thomas Edison
Quite a bit can be said for Edison as an inventor
extraordinaire of the 20th century, holding 1,093
patents over his 84 years. The Ohio native proved
himself a rebel, an incredibly successful inventor
and a conservative businessman, with enormous
contributions to the technological advancement of
society—from the phonograph to the telegraph.
Throughout his inventing career, Edison was known
for his extremely strong work ethic and great
leadership skills. He was particularly praised for his
ability to delegate responsibility to those assisting
him in his inventive endeavors. Edison had high
standards, demanding that his men keep accurate
notes, to determine possible new directions, and to
win patent battles. He saw himself as overseer,
guide, and inspirational leader.
Edison died on October 18, 1931 as a man
that had embodied a truly American attitude. He
continues to enlighten many with his inspiring
words: "Genius is one percent inspiration and
ninety-nine percent perspiration.
Quite a bit can be said for Edison as an inventor
extraordinaire of the 20th century, holding 1,093
patents over his 84 years. The Ohio native proved
himself a rebel, an incredibly successful inventor
and a conservative businessman, with enormous
contributions to the technological advancement of
society—from the phonograph to the telegraph.
Throughout his inventing career, Edison was known
for his extremely strong work ethic and great
leadership skills. He was particularly praised for his
ability to delegate responsibility to those assisting
him in his inventive endeavors. Edison had high
standards, demanding that his men keep accurate
notes, to determine possible new directions, and to
win patent battles. He saw himself as overseer,
guide, and inspirational leader.
Edison died on October 18, 1931 as a man
that had embodied a truly American attitude. He
continues to enlighten many with his inspiring
words: "Genius is one percent inspiration and
ninety-nine percent perspiration.
Thomas Edison will be portrayed
by Hank Fincken
by Hank Fincken
Hank Fincken
For over 20 years, Fincken has toured the US performing his six original one-man plays
in schools, parks, libraries, festivals, and universities. Ten years ago, he modified some
of his presentations to work in summer Chautauquas. His characters include Johnny
Appleseed, Christopher Columbus, Henry Ford, an 1849 Argonaut named J.P. Bruff,
and of course, Thomas Edison.
This is Fincken's second Chautauqua in Missouri, and he is excited about coming back
to the state. Fincken finished college and began a life of adventure, first serving as a
Peace Corps volunteer in Peru and Costa Rica and then doing his original research in
Europe, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. His most recent trip was to Quito, Ecuador,
where he worked as a translator in rural clinics with a team of American doctors and
wrote an original play for the professional theatre group, Quito Eterno. Fincken has
published some twenty plays and stories, a dozen essays and one book: Three Midwest
History Plays And Then Some.
For over 20 years, Fincken has toured the US performing his six original one-man plays
in schools, parks, libraries, festivals, and universities. Ten years ago, he modified some
of his presentations to work in summer Chautauquas. His characters include Johnny
Appleseed, Christopher Columbus, Henry Ford, an 1849 Argonaut named J.P. Bruff,
and of course, Thomas Edison.
This is Fincken's second Chautauqua in Missouri, and he is excited about coming back
to the state. Fincken finished college and began a life of adventure, first serving as a
Peace Corps volunteer in Peru and Costa Rica and then doing his original research in
Europe, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. His most recent trip was to Quito, Ecuador,
where he worked as a translator in rural clinics with a team of American doctors and
wrote an original play for the professional theatre group, Quito Eterno. Fincken has
published some twenty plays and stories, a dozen essays and one book: Three Midwest
History Plays And Then Some.