history camp 2015-panel discussion-bringing history alive for our youth

Bringing History Alive

for our YouthHistory Camp Panel Discussion

Boston, MA

Saturday Mar. 28, 2015

by Kyle Jenks

American Heritage Living

History Productions

www.AmericanHeritageLivingHistoryProductions.com

Kyle Jenks

216 509 7502

[email protected]

www.linkedin.com/kyle-jenks/32/507/542

http://www.americanheritagelivinghistoryproductions/

mailto:[email protected]

American Heritage Living History Productions

Program Listings-started in 2005

• The American Revolution:

America’s first Civil War.

• Crafting 18th Century

Articles: (Separate presentation or

add to any other option for a significant

savings)

• See next slide


Program Listings-started in 2005

1. A wax sealed letter written with quill pen and ink.

2. A simulated black powder cartridge.

3. Button sewing

4. Making an officer's gorget.


Program Listings

• Patriot vs. Loyalist perspectives

• Country vs. Urban Lifestyles

• The American Revolution: Conservative or Radical Movement?

• Flags of the American Revolution

• Military campaigns

• Medicine / Disease / Sickness

• Daily Living / Civics /Politics / Material Culture

• Religion

What I would be thrilled to see at the end of this

session is formation of alliances that take action on

mutual interests.

• By the end of this presentation

you will discover THREE

• CALL TO ACTIONS that I am

passionate about.

• I am seeking people to help me.

• I am willing to work with you on

your projects too.

THE ACADEMIC SIDE

gives us a studied base to rely on…..

• “Process Drama”-Role Playing

in the Classroom

• NYU Steinhardt School

• Prof. Philip Taylor

• Investigate Ursuline College in Ohio

• Dr. Bari Stith

• High School alternatives

“From classical antiquity to the present, education and theatre have shared common goals and uses. The Program in Educational Theatre at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development consciously brings the two fields together – in the classroom, workshop, studio, and

on the stage. Here, we develop new strategies in teaching and learning through drama.”

What is Educational Theatre at NYU?

THE ACADEMIC SIDE

• “…venture beyond your history textbook and

provide students with opportunities to

experience history firsthand. Using

applied history, bring to life the people, places,

and events of our nation's history, inspiring in

your students a passion for the past.

• Students embark on what Percoco calls

"academic adventures." Taking advantage of the

many resources in their surrounding community

and beyond, students travel to historic sites and

exhibits, examine archives and other primary

source documents, analyze movies and

documentaries, conduct interviews, create

sculptures, and more.”

Millennials-Age 18-34

• I am a baby boomer. In order

for me to relate to history

from a contemporary

standpoint, I must be willing

yield to what works in today’s

society.

http://fusion.net/story/47184/f

usion-massive-millennial-poll-

results/

Contemporary Example #1:

“At Liberty Hall”-a Play by James Christy Oct. 2014

http://www.nj.com/suburbannews/index.ssf/2014/09/premiere_stages_at_kean_univer_11.html

“At Liberty Hall follows two high school students who've just moved to New Jersey: Cristian Rosario, a funny but unfocused teenager from Queens by way of the Dominican Republic; and Alexander Hamilton, 16, the subject of Cristian's 10th grade history project. This time-bending story finds common threads of humor, honor and awkwardness as told through the experiences of a someday-Founding Father and a kid looking for a way out of the projects.”



“At Liberty Hall”- a Play by James Christy Oct. 2014

www.kean.edu/premierestages

Alexander Hamilton on the

left.

Christian Rosario on the

right.

http://www.kean.edu/premierestages


“At Liberty Hall”- a Play by James Christy Oct. 2014

• The I performance I watched

was a matinee attended by

middle school children who

were bused in. These folks on

stage answered questions at

the end of the show. The kids

were captivated!

Contemporary Example #2

“Rapping a Revolution”

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/theater

/lin-manuel-miranda-and-others-from-

hamilton-

talkhistory.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150205&nlid

=68529031&tntemail0=y

February 6, 2015

Additions made March 17, 2015

“The Baby Boomer view vs. the

Millennial view”PERSONAL COMMENTS ON THE PLAY:

HAMILTON currently playing at Public Theater in NYC through May 3, 2015.

These comments are based solely on the content of the NY

Times article: “Rapping a Revolution” Feb. 5th, 2015.

Although I love to be a purist, pragmatism wins out on this creation. It’s a

classic case of: “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

To be honest, I am not a fan of hip hop music. From the article: “A meeting of old and new, Colonial and millennial, is

the quintessence of “Hamilton,” in which Mr. Miranda — who wrote the book, lyrics and music, and stars in the title

role — uses a hip-hop, R&B and pop score to retell America’s founding story.” This play is not just for my eyes. This is

art and history combined together which widens its appeal. It is presented by a younger generation than mine for a

younger generation of people that find value in this kind of communication. Just yesterday [March 16th] I met a young

lady of the millennial generation who offered telling comments. She was fascinated by my description of this play. Her

comment first was that she felt her communications by various social media outlets was getting to be monotonous. She

said the subject matters revolved around, fashion, celebrity news or negative press in current events. Second, she

offered that this play interested her. When “shopping” for entertainment she looks for subjects that she can personally

relate to. This I think is an almost universal reason why a particular entertainment event achieves large scale success. I

found this refreshing and hopeful insight into what our young adults are looking for out of life.

If the content is historically accurate [right now I can’t afford the $120 ticket price to judge it for myself!] that is one of

two crucial reasons I would support this work. The second, as I eluded to, is that it is presenting history in a method

familiar and appealing to the performer’s contemporaries. As a First Person Interpreter of two 18th century characters,

I still choose to be pragmatic and open minded regarding this stage play. Again, perhaps this play is not designed to

appeal to the baby boomer generation necessarily. Its power lies in appealing to the audience represented through

popular culture in today’s world.

SHAKESPEARE:

As another analogy, I dare say Shakespeare is never challenged when people of different races or genders depict his

characters.

As an aside, I find it fascinating that this play comes on the heels of another new play about Alexander Hamilton

called “All Things Liberty” by James Christy which debuted to school children bused onto the Kean University

Campus in Union, NJ this past October. See:


It is also relevant for a younger audience. “All Things Liberty” hits home because it brings universal human

experiences and makes them relatable to the current generation. By succeeding in doing that we have a better chance

to keep the appreciation of our hard won creation called the United States of America alive.

LAST OF THE MOHICANS:

Indulge me a bit of elaboration please. Do we get value from the fact that Last of the Mohicans has fostered an

enduring impact on the public’s fascination with its history even though it is not a completely non-fiction story? I

would argue yes. It has helped perpetuate an interest in history.

A crucial kudo to “Hamilton” would be if they get the history right. It just may seem out of context to an audience not

used to rap or hip hop music.


THE CONSTITUTION AND ITS BILL OF RIGHTS.

……which is another analogy I’d like to make: The way the Constitution was written to be a “living,

breathing” document. The founders were wise. They saw into the future and predicted evolution in

society. A strict document would paralyze society and eventually doom this then experiment in

Republican government delivered on a large scale. James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution”

doggedly researched all previous forms of Republican government through time and concluded that

they all sprung from small, city state environments and all eventually failed. In 1787 a group of 55

men gathered in the same place our Declaration of Independence was signed 11 years earlier. They

were now attempting to organize this bold statement it took eight years of war to forge and unite it

into a large and varied amalgam of states that became the largest successful republic ever devised. It

still stands today….227 years later and I believe our millennials still want to protect it.

Kyle Jenks

"

http://www.publictheater.org/hamilton/

No tickets available!!-Jan-May 3, 2015 Performances were already extended to May 3rd. They are getting a phenomenal response and

are predicted to go to Broadway!

http://www.publictheater.org/hamilton/

School Channel Reality Show

• A take off on PBS shows

such as:

• Manor House

• Frontier House

• Colonial House

School Televised

History Jeopardy competition

• I have a bunch of

Jeopardy questions saved

up if you would like to

contact me to help you

put one together that has

an American Revolution

theme.

History Stories

Liberty’s Kids- DVD

series

History Stories: Comics and

Graphic Novels

http://colonialcomics.tumblr.com/

Write a Story

A Graphic Novel using

Photoshop

History Stories: “Arguing Comics”

• The Historical Society of Rockland County Invites You to Join Us for

• "How Cartoonists Responded to 9/11," A Golden Anniversary Lecture by Kent Worcester

When: Thursday, April 23, 2015; 7:15 sharpWhere: HSRC, 20 Zukor Road, New City, NYAdmission: $FREE (reservations required)

• Reserve tickets by sending an email to [email protected] or calling (845) 634-9629.


History Stories: “Arguing Comics”

• Kent Worcester is a professor of political science at Marymount Manhattan College, where he teaches courses on democratic theory, modern political theory, contemporary war, and the politics of popular culture. He is the author or coeditor of six books including, most recently, "Arguing Comics: Literary Masters on a Popular Medium" and "A Comics Studies Reader." For several years, he gave talks on New York City and comic books for the New York Council for the Humanities' Speakers in the Humanities program.

Write a Story

• Document your experiences

• Example: Your Diary

• Write it in quill pen and ink

by candlelight.

• Self Publish a Graphic

Novel or Comic

My story started with the very first

reenactment I attended in 2003.“After talking with those men, that very

moment like a shot out of nowhere, a

revelation hit me. I said to myself: “I could do

this if I wanted to!” I still find it hard to

describe exactly what attracted me so strongly

to this hobby at that instant. I attribute it to

the fact that as a kid I inherently liked to role-

play especially around military times such as

the Civil War and WW II. I used to watch

Combat on TV and my hero was the boy with

the dog Rin Tin Tin. I never delved into the

history of the wars bur I always liked to

imagine myself as a soldier……..” KJ

Colonial Story Cubes

• Use existing product called Story Cubes-I brought them to try today if you like.

• Or make your own…..

• Purchase these items at a craft store

• Wooden cubes

• Wood burner

An idea on how to use Colonial Story Cubes

• Make it a group lesson. It is a fine way to utilize

intellect and creativity, requiring both sides of

the brain to function optimally.

• Whoever begins the story, sets the tone for its

theme.

• Each successive roll of the dice is done by the

next person in the group.

• They must build on the same story line

established by the first person.

• Successive games begin with a different person

to establish differing themes.

Make a Facebook Page, write a blog, create

a wikiHow article…..OR

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

• Pinterest

• Google +

• wikiHow

Great event listing sites

http://www.thehistorylist.com/

• Lee Wright

http://www.smoke-

fire.com/smoke-fire-

newspaper.asp

http://www.thehistorylist.com/

Great blogs

http://boston1775.blogspot.com/

• By J.L. Bell•Boston 1775 • History, analysis, and

unabashed gossip about the

start of the American Revolution

in Massachusetts.

http://boston1775.blogspot.com/

Great blogs

http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/

• by Liz Covart

www.newyorkhistoryblog.org

• Editor: John Warren

http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/

http://www.newyorkhistoryblog.org/

Great blogs and web sites

http://allthingsliberty.com/

Notice the relevance to

21st century life.

Commentary on a television

series dealing with the

American Revolution.

http://allthingsliberty.com/


http://raglinen.com/

Notice the relevance to

21st century life.

Commentary on a modern

aspect of

American Revolution.

http://raglinen.com/


http://www.historytube.org/

USE www.hstry.co

• www.hstry.co

• "Create interactive timelines

that remind you of a FB set-up"

• It’s free to sign up.

• CEO Thomas Ketchall

• See article at:

www.edtechtimes.com

Museum Trek

• “Create a memorable experience

for your visitors with MuseumTrek,

the mobile game of location based

clues that players solve while they

Trek around your museum.”

• http://www.museumtrek.com/con

tactinfo.php

• President: Tim Cook

http://www.museumtrek.com/contactinfo.php

CALL TO ACTION #1:

Establish Living Historian’s Clubs

• One’s that I know exist:

• Montgomery Township HS, NJ-”Living Historians Club”

• Held twice a year at Rockingham Association Kingston, NJ-Washington’s Last Military Headquarters

• Guilderland High School, Guilderland, NY [Albany area]-did a FP project


• Bureau Valley CUSD

• Manlius, Illinois

• Heights

• Oakland, NJ

• Manito

• Oakland, NJ

• How about developing an exchange

program between the groups?

Establish Living Historian’s Clubs cont.

• WHERE DO YOU FIND THE KIDS?

• Schools

• Public, Private

• Rudolph Steiner Schools

• Waldorf Technique

• Magnet, Charter

• Homeschoolers

• Academies

• National Blue Ribbon Schools


• WHERE DO YOU

FIND THESE KIDS?

• Reenactments

• Encampments

• Rendevous’

• Community Events

Take them to a re-enactment

Take them to a re-enactment or

encampment

Create your own Reenactment

• Watch this awesome

DVD.

• Plan, write and act

out your own

reenactment.


Finding the kids cont.

• At the History Bee/History Bowl

www.historybowl.com

• At the National History Day competitions

www.nationalhistoryday.org



http://www.nationalhistoryclub.org/

The History Bowl

Mid Atlantic Regional• I attended the Mid Atlantic

Regionals at Princeton University on Sat. March 21, 2015, volunteering as a question reader.

http://www.historybowl.com/

• This and the following 2 photos were taken in the Frist Building Room 302. This is where Albert Einstein used to teach!

The History Bowl

Mid Atlantic Regional

Hundreds of kids and

growing into an

international competition.

The History Bowl

Mid Atlantic Regional

Quarter final round



• Boy Scout International

Exchange Program

• Canada: SCOPE-Toronto area

• United States: Olympia

http://www.sbfg.ca/

• Scout Brigade of Fort George

http://www.sbfg.ca/

• http://www.sbfg.ca/

http://www.sbfg.ca/



• Boy Scout Domestic

Exchange Program

• Mohawk Valley/Schenectady Council-

gathering in Fort Plain, NY May 1-3, 2015

• Cradle of Liberty Council in Valley Forge,

PA

• Northern NJ Council-Offices in Oakland, NJ



• Boy Scout

• Eagle Project Suggested Topics

•First Person Interpretation

•Historical Drama

•Graphic Novel


cont.• WHERE DO YOU FIND

THESE KIDS?

• Summer Camps-Workshops

• Helderberg Workshop, Albany, NY

• Did crafts from our AHLHP program listing

• 1) A wax sealed letter written with quill pen and ink.

• 2) A simulated black powder cartridge.

• 3) Button sewing

• 4) Making an officer's gorget.

Establish Living Historians Club cont.

• WHERE DO YOU FIND THESE KIDS?

• Association of Public Historians

• State Historian’s office

• Community Historian’s office

• Museum conferences

• ALHFAM

• NAI

• CAR


cont.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Staged Readings

• Graveyard Tours

• Dinner Theatre

• Make them all fundraisers

for the Living Historian’s Club


cont.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

• Docents at historic sites

• Perform a play

• [BBA play at Dorset, VT Playhouse]

• Rent wars

• Pullman Porters

• Perform a role play

• Alternate history

• Both sides of the story

Encourage the club members to develop

First Person Personas

• Book: Past into Present: Effective Techniques for First Person Historical Interpretation

• By Stacy F. Roth

• Go to Appendix 2: The Ultimate Character Development List

• Interpreting Our Heritage

• by Freeman Tilden

• Telling History

• By Joyce M. Thierer

First Person Interpretation

in grand style

• Here’s a very sensory rich application of the use of First Person Interpretation.

• General George Washington reviewing the troops. This re-creation was in Fort Plain, NY on Aug. 1-3, 2008.

• Gen’l Washington actually toured the Mohawk Valley in 1783 after the war was officially over.

This is the dragoon unit that accompanied

General Washington into town.

• They are called Sheldon’s Horse

Second Continental Light Dragoons.

They are still a semi-commissioned

military unit called out by the Governor

of Connecticut.

• They were Washington’s

official “life guard” unit.

• Dean Malissa as Washington rode into

town on horseback with them up to the

site at the Fort Plain Museum.

Reception Friday night

Meet the General

• This weekend long event began with a reception Friday night.

• On Sunday there was a dinner. Dean Malissa is shown here with a guest at the Friday night reception.

First Person Interpretation in grand style

• On Saturday “His

Excellency” greeted the

public in character under

his marquee shown here.

• In the afternoon there was a

formal review of troops as

shown on slide 60.

A powerful emotional impact took place…..

“I remember being paralyzed with awe as I

was given permission to have the ultimate

experience: Stand aside and be a "fly on the

wall" so to speak and observe this man work

his magic. “His Excellency” received the

public at this event under the marquee

pictured on slide 63. The way the public

responded to him is a testament to the

incomparable magnetic attraction he

displayed. And the thing of it is, it is George

Washington's magnetic and magnanimous

personality that the people responded to.” KJ

I have never forgotten that day…..

• “Not to take anything away from Dean. He is magnetic and magnanimous too, but the public was actually mesmerized and tongue tied in his presence. They [and I] thought we were in the presence of the commander in chief of the Continental Army!

• It was one of the most powerful emotional experiences I have ever had. Right then and there I said to myself, "I am going to do this as well as Dean Malissa someday .".... [but as someone shorter.]

• All the reenactors attending this commemoration received one of these medals. I have saved it for 7 years, always on display at my desk.”

My Development of a First Person Persona

• I started chronicling my experiences as a reenactor in 2003 which turned into a story.

• I began the hobby in my native upstate New York which lent itself to learning about the French and Indian War and American Revolution time periods.


• I found and bought Past into Present: Effective Techniques for First Person Historical Interpretation

• By Stacy F. Roth

• I went straight to Appendix 2: The Ultimate Character Development List and started filling in the blanks.


• I started blending my

chronicles in “Musings”

with the Appendix in Stacy

Roth’s book.

• I started reading books of

real life people I thought I

might like to portray.

I came up instead with a personal example

of a First Person Interpretation

My persona resulted in a historically inspired character

named Douglas McKenna. It was developed based on

being born in 1732 in Schenectady, NY. I told the story

of growing up in what was then known as the

Western Frontier.

I delved into his dealings with the varied and diverse

cultures present in upstate New York including the

English, Dutch, French, Scottish, Irish, Palatine

Germans and the five nations of the Iroquois

Confederacy. My journey into manhood was through

participation in the French and Indian War as a Roger's

Ranger and then deciding to join the patriot cause

during the American Revolution.

Evolution of Douglas McKenna

What I really enjoyed next was bringing the civilian

aspect into Douglas’ life.

The reenactment hobby although not limited to the

military approach is most commonly battle

reenactment oriented.

I continued to participate in that aspect which I

thoroughly enjoy but I also sought out community

history site projects that brought a more complete

picture to Douglas’ life.

This is a sample of an interpretation I did at the

Schuyler Mansion in Albany, NY.

Evolution of Douglas McKenna cont.

One of the best examples of my evolving awareness

of the time period was a move to a neighboring state.

Since New Jersey, commonly known as either the

Cockpit of the Revolution or the Crossroads of the

American Revolution, is so rich in that time period’s

history, it allowed Douglas to have reason to end up

in many more different places.

Proof of the increased complexity of character

development was a presentation I was hired to do at

Valley Forge National Historical Park for a large,

annual Boy Scout pilgrimage.


I assembled a team of first person interpreters to

approach the story from the perspective of soldiers

traveling to Valley Forge at different times

throughout the winter of 1777/78 and spring of 1778

from the northern campaign in Saratoga, NY.

It allowed me to present this “global” perspective to

the war as well as highlight three historical figures

that not only have less renown, but are of minority

status. They are Salem Poor of Bunker Hill fame,

Honyerry Doxtader, an Oneida Indian from the

Iroquois Confederacy and Polly Cooper, also of the

Oneidas.


Douglas continues to travel around and meet many more

people as he ages and gets involved in things that men

did back then, like own property, invest and get into

politics.

This is when I decided the time was ripe to take on a

historical figure that really lived.

James Madison, our fourth President has been in the

back of mind since 2007 but I didn’t feel I could do a

man of such great renown justice.

When opportunity finally knocked, I was ready. Now I

am studying for a first official presentation as Mr.

Madison for Constitution Day this year on Sept. 17, 2015.

A Douglas McKenna performance example


• This is my stage for the

performance I did at the West

Point Museum, West Point,

NY.

• The client was the West Point

Chapter of the Company of

Military Historians.


• The stage consisted of the table and chair you see center stage. Table had period appropriate props appropriate for a desk.

• There is a fireplace at stage left. Here I piled real wood logs with a cast iron pot set on the imaginary fire. I had real food [pre-warmed] in the pot [canned beef stew.] The pot was lined with a plastic container.

• I had bottles of grape juice mixed with wine and apple juice mixed with hard cider to drink along with the proper drinking glasses, tankards, bowls plates and utensils.

• In the very center of the audience, [very hard to see] is a “cage” made of wire that protected a halogen work light that sat inside.

• The work light was tilted up ever so slightly and the light was shown through a piece of parchment yellow tissue paper to give the stage a candle lit appearance once the house lights dimmed.


• When the house lights dimmed I had various flickering lanterns and battery candles stationed to augment the incandescent spotlight. I had all the other period props necessary for my performance.

• I had pre-planned for an audience member to be part of the show.

• He sat in the front row with a small table next to his chair.

• He was someone I could talk to and serve food and drink to while I was telling my story.

• This particular presentation revolved around the story I received in a letter from my wife Sarah who was in Philadelphia in 1787 when the Constitutional Convention has just adjourned.

CALL TO ACTION #2:Help me organize a

First Person Interpretation Symposium

• Held at a Physical location

• How to do it…..

• … or a Virtual Location

• Series of Podcasts

• SKYPE

• Webinar

• WikiHOW-Article

• HSTRY.COM timeline format

• First Person Blog or FB page

Introduce kids to Professional

Actor/Interpreters at the Symposium

www.ahtheatre.orgDean Malissa on Right as George Washington

courtesy of AHT.

Let them feel the power that this presentation style is

capable of.

http://www.ahtheatre.org/


Actor/Interpreters at the Symposiumwww.leagueofmostinterestinggentlemen.com

• Left to right:

• Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury,

• President James Monroe,

• President Thomas Jefferson,

• Count Rumford and seated: Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

• Not pictured: President James Madison



• Stacy Roth at

Monmouth State

Battlefield site

• Monmouth, NJ

It took me 7 years to track down

Stacy Roth, but I finally met her

and saw a pro in action.

Molly Pitcher-Battle of

Monmouth June 28, 1778



John Andre and

Benedict Arnold Douglas McKenna

and friend

Interpreters from Genesee Valley

Country Village and Museum



California

Gold Rush

Victorian

Mount Vernon



Not sure about

this one!ca. 1860’s?

Benjamin

Franklin



SUSAN MCKINNEY

STEWARD

First female African-American

doctor in New York State

SUSAN B. ANTHONY

Napoleon of the women's

suffrage movement, mother of

the 19th Amendment,

abolitionistSojourner Truth



18th Century TradesmanBenjamin Franklin

CALL TO ACTION #3

Re-enact a historical eventExample: The 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent

• Feb. 16, 1815

• Place: Octagon House in

Washington, DC.

• Troops guard and wait to

ceremoniously welcome the

Treaty arriving from its

ratification by the Senate only

several blocks down the street.

Re-enact a historical eventThe 200th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent

• Recreation of the route taken by the Treaty from the Senate to the Octagon House.

• Actually it was so cold they cancelled it but three hearty souls make the trek anyway.


Delivering the chest to President

James Madison that contained the

Treaty as it traveled from Ghent,

Belgium the year before.

That is the actual chest that the

Treaty traveled in.


• President and Mrs. Madison looking over the Treaty before signing.

• This was the original table used by President Madison to sign the Treaty at the actual place. Octagon House was the First Couple’s temporary residence at the time.

• The President’s Mansion had been burned by the British on August 24th of the previous year, 1814.


• It’s official.

• Congratulations are

in order!

CALL TO ACTION #3:

Help me Re-enact this historical event

1754 Albany

CongressBen Franklin Comes to

New York with:

“Hints toward a Scheme…”

1754 Albany Congress

Ben Franklin Comes to New York with:

“Hints toward a Scheme…”

“2014 was the 260th anniversary of this month long convention that resulted in the Albany Plan of Union, the precursor to our American Constitution. There are many aspects to this seminal event that I believe are extremely compelling but not commonly known.” KJ

ASSIDUITY: constant or close application or

effort; diligence; industry.

Introduce kids to Professional Storytellers

• http://www.lauracrockett.com/

Laura_Crockett/Welcome.html

• http://www.magicwords101.com/

• Denise McCormack

http://www.lauracrockett.com/Laura_Crockett/Welcome.html

http://www.magicwords101.com/


http://www.storycircleatproctors.org/

www.facebook.com/partnersforalbany

stories

http://www.storycircleatproctors.org/


• Rick Salazar typically tells

the Native American,

[sometimes referred to as

First Peoples] rendition of

their creation evenings

around a campfire.

Write and perform a historical

play or movie

Write and perform a historical play or movie

Unimagined Discovery

• I bought this book thinking it was a

history book. I didn’t read it though.

• I cracked it open several year’s later.

It’s not about history really, it’s about

this author’s story of discovery with his

social studies middle school students.

• In complete ignorance I proceeded to

create our play with the admittedly

unimaginative title: Colonial Life in the

Mohawk Valley.

Our Play: Colonial Life in the Mohawk ValleyRecommended for 7th-8th graders

• “250 years ago, English, French, Indians and

Colonists contested control of upstate New York.

Colonial life in the Mohawk Valley will be

performed in your auditorium, using your

students as impromptu actors.

• This 9 scene play is prearranged with your

teachers and is played out ON THE SPOT in a

LIVE 90-100 minute performance. AHLHP

provides all the clothing, accouterments, cue

cards, set decoration and stage direction for this

unprecedented style of performance.

• Presentations involve each and every student.”


• Scenes titles are:

• 1) Introduction,

• 2) People of the Longhouse,

• 3) Home Life on the Frontier,

• 4) The Alarm has Sounded,

• 5) The Stockade at Fort Hunter,

• 6) The Scouting Party,

• 7) The 1754 Albany Congress,

• 8) 1756: An Indian Celebration at Fort Johnson

• 9) Conclusion and Thank you ceremony.


• The School liked it so

much they invited us

back the following year.

• If it wasn’t for a move

out of state, it could

have become a tradition.

Here’s what the teacher’s said:

• From Cobleskill/Richmondville, NY Central School District Dec. 2006

• "The presentation by Mr. Kyle Jenks on the French and Indian War was remarkable. First, Mr. Jenks covered a great deal of information in an engaging manner. His program tied in directly to the material covered in both the ELA and social studies classes from our school.

• Second, all students had opportunities to participate. That direct involvement increased their appreciation for the material covered. We would highly recommend this presentation to other Middle Schools."

• Sincerely,CRCS 7th Grade Teachers:Christopher Baron, Chad Blakesley, Peggy Blohm, Amy Thompson, Noel Payton

Here’s what the kid’s said:

Excerpts of some of the 24 separate student testimonials we received from the Cobleskill/Richmondville French and Indian War presentation:

•"Thank you very much for inviting both 7 and split to see that wonderful presentation...I was in the part of the Albany Congress, and it really felt like I was there watching it all happen. Overall the presentation was fascinating and I really enjoyed it." MH

•"...it was great. The part that I played was People of the Longhouse-it was cool to be a clan mother of the Onondaga Nation. The way that you helped us learn about it was cool because we got to help. Thank (you) again, it was great." KH


• "...I was captain of the French partisans and I felt like I was there it was so

real. I think the whole school could have been there." JO

•"...The part that I played was a Frenchman. It was neat to help out in an

assembly. I learned what a Sachem was. It was great to be in an actual

reenactment." RM

• "...we enjoyed it very much. I was part of the Albany Plan of Union Council.

I really felt like I was a part of it a long time ago. It was very exciting. This

presentation was a great, fun way to learn about the French and Indian War.

It was very fun." CM

•


• "...The part that I played was in a French raiding party, and I enjoyed weaving

throughout the chairs like they were bushes and trees. I really enjoyed the play, and I

think it would be fun to be in another recreation. I hope we can do this again

sometime in the future." HM

• "...I was part of the French raiding party. What I liked best was when the French

tried to attack the base and the British drove us back." HS

•"...It was very fun being Benjamin Franklin. We all enjoyed it very much. It was very

informative. I learned that it was very hard living in colonial life." DF

•


• "...We are going to have oodles of fun." CB

•"Your play is going to be awesome. We studied (the) French and Indian War and I loved it. It was pretty interesting." DB

•"I thank you for the honor of allowing the split 6-7 team to the presentation. The part I played was the People of the Longhouse and I was the Mohawk Sachem. Your efforts were astounding." ML

I created something

that already existed.

• I said, I think we got something here!

Much later, after our two years of this

production played, I realized what I

created already had official names.

• Process Drama, Educational Drama or

Applied Theater and I loved it. This

book [same author] was written 5 years

after Redcoats and Patriots in 2003.

What will be your “Corps of Discovery?”

• Sometimes you don’t have to create something new. You just have to add your unique contribution to a concept you believe in. By doing so you will strengthen it, evolve it and get more people interested.

My next evolution was to learn about a theatrical

genre called Outdoor Historical Drama

• Get help from:

www.outdoor-theatre.org/

• “Outdoor Historical Drama has the magical power to imbue the visitor with a sense of pilgrimage to another time and place where actual events took place.” KJ

Here are some existing

Outdoor Historical Dramas

Our Outdoor Historical Drama:

Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama

Gelston Castle Estate

980 Robinson Road

Mohawk, NY

www.datmod.com

www.facebook.com/drumsalongthemohawk

http://www.datmod.com/




http://www.facebook.com/drums


• Kids can participate in roles pertaining to:

• Cast

• Crew

• Production Team

• Set Design

• Wardrobe

• Props

• Support Staff

• Opening Acts-Living History Presentation

• Educational Project or Information Booth

Scenes from: Drums Along the Mohawk

Outdoor Drama


Sat. Aug. 1, 2015 5 pm

Sun. Aug. 2, 2015 5 pm

Sat. Aug. 8, 2015 5 pm

Sun. Aug. 9, 2015 5 pm

Organize a bus tour –field trip

Our Overnight, Guided Bus Tour goes to:Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama

• In 2014 our itinerary took our guests from the Historical Society of Rockland County [NY] and others to 12 locations that directly applied to the people, places and events in the show.

Our Overnight, Guided Bus TourDrums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama

• Itinerary: http://www.rocklandhistory.org/page.cfm?page=367

• Video testimonial on www.facebook.com/drumsalongthemohawk

• Also listed on:

www.thehistorylist.com

http://www.rocklandhistory.org/page.cfm?page=367

http://www.facebook.com/drumsalongthemohawk

Revolutionary War Conference

May 1-3, 2015 Fort Plain, NY

• The Mohawk Valley played a key role in the struggle

for American Independence. Join us at the Fort Plain

Museum and discover the area’s rich history.

• Six Great Author - Historians! Six Great

Revolutionary Stories!

• Saturday May 2, 2015

• For More Information Contact Brian Mack at

518-774-5669 or E-mail us at

[email protected]

• Exit 29 off the NYS Thruway

• Friday night reception and Sunday bus tour

• Todd Braisted - "A hellish plan to go over to the enemy" The Revolutionary War Adventures of Lieutenant Edward McMichael

• Don Hagist - The Revolution's Last Men, the Soldiers Behind the Photographs

• Jack Kelly - Band of Giants, the Amateur Soldiers Who Won America's Independence

• James Kirby Martin - Forgotten Allies, the Oneida Indians and the American Revolution

• Bruce Venter - Col. John Brown and the Battle of Diamond Island on Lake George

• Glenn Williams - The Year of the Hangman, George Washington's Campaign Against the Iroquois

Revolutionary War Conference

May 1-3, 2015 Fort Plain, NY• Registration Fee (s): $40 per person (space is

limited, early registration is suggested!) Fee includes:

Cocktail Reception – Meet & Greet featuring a

presentation, “Discovering Fort Plain” by Norman

Bollen. Refreshments will be served Friday evening

and all day Saturday. A boxed lunch by Panera Bread

will be provided at noon on Saturday.

• *For an additional $20 per person fee: Guided Bus

Tour of “Mohawk Country” on Sunday: Includes

the Nellis Tavern, Fort Klock, Van Alstyne

Homestead, Isaac Paris House, Palatine Church,

Stone Arabia Churches, Fort Plain Museum, Stone

Arabia Battlefield, Klock’s Battlefield and John

Brown’s Grave.

• Registration Deadline is April 17, 2015

• Please make checks and money orders payable

to: Fort Plain Museum. Mail completed

registration and lunch order forms with

payment to:

Fort Plain Museum

Attn: Brian Mack

PO Box 324

Fort Plain, N.Y. 13339

Gil and Lana from Drums Along the

Mohawk Outdoor Drama get married!

• Saturday July 25, 2015

• Wedding at the 1770 Palatine

Church at 3 pm.

• Reception at 4 pm at the 1747

Nellis Tavern.

• Sponsored by Mohawk Country

• “America’s First Frontier”

Gil and Lana from Drums Along the

Mohawk Outdoor Drama get married!

• Both locations are off New York

State Thruway Exit 29.

• Get details from Kyle Jenks at

• 216 509 7502 or

[email protected]

Get them moving!

• Teach them Colonial

Dancing

• Popular periods are

• Colonial

• Regency

• Civil War

• I can help you find groups

and musicians.

Take them to Secret Places

Give them an adventure outdoors

Life was physically active in those days

• Take them on a Bike Ride

• Take them on a hike

• Take them on a Bike/Hike

• Geo-caching

• Orienteering

• Open fire cooking

• 18th Century Camping

Sports

• Watch movie: Crooked Arrows

• Play Lacrosse

• Play Cricket

• Play Rounders

• Bowl on a Lawn

• Play Vintage Baseball

Sports

Primitive Biathlon

http://www.shandakenprimitivebiathlon.net/

• Catskills, NY

• Manchester, VT

http://www.shandakenprimitivebiathlon.net/

Biathlon-Which are you?

• FAST? • SLOW?

Or are you a Biathlon Hybrid?

Or are you a Biathlon wannabe?

Are you up for forming some alliances?

My three CALL TO ACTIONS are:

• Create a network of Living History Clubs

• Create a First Person Interpretation Symposium

• Create a reenactment of the 1754 Albany Congress

I don’t know if I’m ready to form any alliances.

I just want to watch the clock.

• A patriot soldier asked his

commander at the Old North

Bridge:

• “Are you going to let them burn the

town down?” The patriot

commander replied: “Who’s with

me?”

• No one turned him down.

Let’s do this.

Thank you for your attendance and

contributions! I look forward to

getting better acquainted.

Kyle Jenks

216 509 7502

[email protected]

www.linkedin.com/kyle-jenks/32/507/542
