Teddy Roosevelt and the Panama Canal-I play President Teddy Roosevelt. Students play various roles connected to the building of the Panama Canal, other international issues and the Progressive Movement. The covers an important era and is moderately active. 30 minutes set up.
Harry Truman and the Atomic Bomb-I play President Truman and describe how he came to office and the majority of the Program is about why he decided to use the Atomic Bombs. This is primarily a one man show, but students act as reporters and can ask me questions as Truman. 15 minutes set up.
Vietnam/Hippie Program-2-part Program covering both sides of the war. The first half I play a Vietnam vet in a mental institution and tell a few stories about how bad the war was. The second part I play Timothy Leary and give the Hippie aspect. Students play roles in both parts and there is music and dancing. Some video clips also. 30 minutes set up.
Mickey Schwerner and the Civil Rights Movement-I play one of the 3 young men murdered in Mississippi in 1963 while trying to register black people to vote. I come back from the dead, some blood involved but students do not get bloody, and tell my story as well as what I think about race relations up to today. The second half of the Program comes from a conversation I had with Schwerner’s wife about 15 years ago. This is more of a one man show, but I pull kids in for a few things. Video clips from Murder in Mississippi lead into the Program. 30 minutes set up.
Ryan White and AIDS-I play a young man who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion in the 1980s. I tell my story and how AIDS changed society and how the government treated its victims. Then I die at the end. All of the stories come from a conversation I had with Ryan White’s Mother in 1995. This is a one man show, but over the years it was my students favorite. It often causes tears and relates to student actions in their own lives. Video clips and music add to the story. It takes about an hour set up.
Uncle Sam-This is an any time program. I play Uncle Sam and tell stories about what it means to be an American. Music videos play in the background to highlight each point. Although a one man show, students read cards throughout to highlight veterans, immigrants and 911. A 911 tribute plays a large part in the Program as well. Students who have military relatives really love this one, but it is good for all students in today’s world to highlight how lucky we are to be Americans. 45 minutes set up.
Multicultural Man-I play everyone that has ever lived. This has always been my last Program of the year. It is similar to the Uncle Sam Program, but covers a much broader message. It is about making the world a better place. Stories range from being a good parent, being a good friend, making the world around you better which creates history and a better future. Many history messages are used to emphasize major points. This one can be a tearjerker as well depending on student’s life experiences. 30 minutes set up.
Norman Schwarzkopf and Desert Storm-I play Norman Schwarzkopf, general of the allied forces in Desert Storm. Students play infantry. Tank and air force member participating in the war. Very active Program for students and information on a war most of them have little knowledge of. Video Clips introduce the basics of the events of the war. 30-45 minute set up. 6 rolling chairs needed.