Presentarts presents historical works for fundraisers and special events. All plays are written and directed by Judith Present. Some of the characters presented below can be offered as a stand-alone, short program for meeting programs or luncheons. Presentarts can also write customized material for individual organizations.

“Extraordinary Courage, Trailblazers of Nursing” (Will be available for bookings in October 2022).
In this performance you will meet Clara Barton whose efforts to supply and staff battlefield hospitals during the Civil war ultimately led to her founding of the American Red Cross. Dorothea Dix had no professional training in mental health, but her observations of their treatment astonished her and motivated her to pioneer new approaches in care for the mentally ill. Ruby Bradley an unassuming military nurse captured by the Japanese after Pearl Harbor’s attack learned to improvise her treatment of her fellow POWS with whatever she could steal or find.

“First Ladies”
Presenting Dolley Madison, Mary Todd Lincoln, Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, and Nancy Reagan. First ladies are never voted for, nor do they get paid; yet without them our presidents would falter, they wouldn’t remember names or faces and would have trouble making decisions even though they had plenty of advisers. The relationship between the “sheets” can be the most important and powerful connection. Just like their husbands, First Ladies are destined to reach eternal life and a place in history where they can be written about and picked apart years after their deaths.

“Those Who Crossed Barriers”
This play is about those Americans brave enough to cross the barriers that they encountered as they innovated, lived, or made their way in a man’s world. You will meet Nellie Bly who paved the way for women in investigative journalism, Sophie Lyons who lit the criminal world on fire with her wily con-woman ways, Corporal Margaret Hastings one of a group of Army WACS who brought women into the military, and Orville and Wilbur Wright who worked at making a flying machine, while others gave up. Last, but not least, is Katharine Wright who never made a name for herself like her brothers, but without her they could not have gone on to invent what they did.

“Three Women: First, Foremost and Unique”
This one woman show portrays Mary Todd Lincoln, Sarah Bernhardt, and Madam Curie or Nelly Bly. These woman and others like them did not just prevail, they excelled when personal, economic, political, and sexual obstacles threatened them. But just like everyone else, their tales are filled with daring, physical love, loss and victory. Even if their extraordinary achievements just happened to be accomplished by women, they’re still inspiration for both sexes.

“I Was There in 67” Stories from Vietnam”
This show presents the stories of the service men and women whose lives were changed in this protracted conflict. The stories of these men and woman take you on an emotional journey through this war.

“Belva Lockwood”
This is a one woman show portrays the remarkable career of Belva Lockwood who was among the first female attorneys in the United States and was the first woman ever allowed to practice at the bar of the United States Supreme Court. In 1884, she became the first woman to run a full campaign for the United States Presidency and earn votes.

“Pagliacci”
This short monologue features the singing Clown Pagliacci, a character inspired by a real murder and adapted into an opera by Leoncavallo. Highlighted in this monologue is a musical excerpt from the opera Pagliacci.

“I Am War”
War himself gives his perspective on the human folly of war through a series of stories of wars through history ultimately describing where he is going next.

"Ghosts Of The South"
Ms. Present has written Ghosts Of The South to show those who live on, as the raw material of history, you might not see them, but they are there. The history of slavery is central to understanding America, and in this play, we illuminate the human side of this inhuman institution through stories of those who have lived it. We often forget what Africans brought with them that added to our American culture; their religions, music, language, values and skills, which today is blended within the diversity the United States.

Character interpretation is a great way for your patrons to experience history. Presentarts is a company that brings to life costumed historical personages who tell their stories in monologues that describe the political, economic and social environments that shaped them.  Their stories provide a connection with the past that helps to explain historical events, and they engage the audience in an entertaining way that presents a sense of being participants in that history. 

Presentarts can bring you such personages as the First Ladies - Dolley Madison, Mary Todd Lincoln, Lady Bird Johnson – all of them telling the “behind the scenes” stories of their marriages and impact on presidential history.  We can bring Marie Curie, Sarah Bernhardt, Nelly Bly, or Enrico Caruso. Our programs can be a complement to your existing programming or can stand alone as a discrete fundraising performance for your organization. 

Our fee is flexible and reasonable and takes into consideration the mission of the organization and the scope of the performance.  We can customize the presentation from a full evening of historical entertainment to an individual visit at a business luncheon.  For example, Sarah Bernhardt can be a guest at a tea or luncheon meeting. 
 

We provide all the actors, directors, writers, stage hands, and technicians for any size production, from one man shows to full cast with staging.

I am happy to speak with you directly as to how Presentarts can enhance your programming or fundraising.  Contact Us now by clicking the Form button below, or call Judith Present at 607-637-3169.