The West Virginia Humanities Council is seeking applications from individuals interested in portraying historical figures for its popular History Alive! program. Portrayals of historically significant people no longer living, from any period of history, are eligible for consideration. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2016.
The Humanities Council will accept proposals for portrayals of influential people from all walks of life who have made important contributions to state, national, or international history. These could include, but are not limited to: explorers, inventors, musicians, statesmen, artists, authors, educators, military leaders, athletes, scientists, business and labor leaders, activists, and others of historical significance. The current roster of History Alive! characters currently includes Julia Child, Cornstalk, Martin Delany, Benjamin Franklin, Stonewall Jackson, Ward Hill Lamon, Mary Lincoln, Ostenaco, Minnie Pearl, Eleanor Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Sacagawea, Porte Crayon, Harriet Tubman, and Mark Twain.
History Alive! characters are researched by the presenters who portray them. First-person sources such as letters, journals, speeches, official papers, autobiographies, and other archival materials are required research to develop the presentations. Every year, History Alive! presentations are given for schools, libraries, civic groups, museums, parks, historical societies, community events, service organizations, festivals, and a wide range of public gatherings across West Virginia.
Applicants may submit up to two proposals for potential characters. Proposed characters should have statewide name recognition. Composite characters, legends, or mythical figures are not eligible for consideration. Submitted proposals are reviewed by a committee and any that are selected for further consideration advance to an audition of their character. Presenters who pass the audition will join the History Alive! program beginning Nov. 1, 2016, and receive a stipend from the Humanities Council for each program they present.
Those interested in applying should contact Humanities Council program officer Mark Payne at 304-346-8500 or payne@wvhumanities.org to request application materials.
