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Application To Become A Chautauquan

Here's your chance to help us tell Kentucky's Story by portraying a person from the Commonwealth's colorful past. Since 1992, our presenters have brought 80 Kentuckians to life!

There are many compelling stories out there–let us know which one you want to tell.

 

Kentucky Chautauqua is seeking presenters to develop dramatic programs portraying the lives of historical Kentuckians. Through the application and audition process described here, we will select new Kentucky Chautauqua characters in June 2024. Dramatic experience is desirable but not required.

This form is used to apply to join the Kentucky Chautauqua roster with a new character.

Proposed Kentucky Chautauqua characters do not have to be famous, but their lives should illuminate some part of Kentucky’s history, and their stories should be compelling enough to appeal to audiences in every part of the state. Kentucky Chautauqua characters, who must be deceased, have ranged from the unknown, such as Kentucky politician Caleb Powers, to household names like Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. The common thread is that they all have great stories to tell.

Subjects that program hosts have expressed interest in include African American history, the bourbon industry, and the equine industry. Also of note, names on the list below, who are not in our current line-up, could be portrayed again.

A Kentucky Chautauqua portrayal should last about 35-45 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer session of up to 30 minutes. Applicants chosen as Chautauqua characters will receive an honorarium of $1,000 for script development, and Kentucky Humanities will pay for drama, costume, and scholarly consultants to ensure the historical accuracy of the characterization. Presenters agree to provide their own costumes, props, and transportation, and must be available to travel statewide for at least 45 performances between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2028. We will pay presenters $350 per performance plus lodging.

If you have a character you want to portray for Kentucky Chautauqua, you have until April 15, 2024 to submit an application.

We will invite selected applicants to audition for a panel of reviewers chosen by Kentucky Humanities. Auditions and final selection of characters will take place on Monday, June 3, 2024, in Lexington. The audition consists of a five-minute in-character presentation followed by a 10-minute Q & A with the reviewers.

Kentucky Chautauqua Characters 1992-2024

Atta kul kullaLucy Bakewell AudubonAlben Barkley
Mary McLeod BethuneRuth Hanly BooeDaniel Boone
Jemima BooneJohn C. BreckinridgeMadeline McDowell Breckinridge
Mary Carson BreckinridgeBelle BreezingAunt Clara Brown
William Wells BrownSimon Bolivar BucknerA. A. Burleigh
Rev. Newton BushThe Carlisle BrothersGeorge Rogers Clark
Anna Mac ClarkeCassius M. ClayHenry Clay
Laura ClayRosemary ClooneyIrvin S. Cobb
Catherine ConnerLilley CornettRev. Elijah Craig
Emmit DavenportJefferson DavisSamuel Drake
Charlotte DupuyJohn G. FeeJoseph Galloway
Margaret GarnerRoscoe Tarlton GooseSue Grafton
Private William GreathouseRev. Elisha GreenJohnny Green
Nancy GreenWinifred GreenJustice John Marshall Harlan
Emilie Todd HelmBilly HerndonPrice Hollowell
Aunt Molly JacksonGrandpa JonesSimon Kenton
Maxine LaceyLily May LedfordRose Leigh
Abraham LincolnMary Todd LincolnAlice Lloyd
John C. C. MayoDr. Ephraim McDowellMadam Mentell
Rose Will MonroeGov. Edwin MorrowMary Owens
Dr. J. J. PolkCaleb PowersPee Wee Reese
Jean RitchieAdolph RuppHarland "Colonel" Sanders
Laura ScottIsaac ShelbyMary Settles
Cora Wilson StewartJesse StuartMiss Dinnie Thompson
Sojourner TruthHarriet TubmanMark Twain
Dr. Thomas WalkerSallie WardHenry Watterson
YorkColonel Charles Young 

Bold = on our current roster