Over a year in waiting, the Chautauqua History Comes Alive Festival – “Reinventing America” starring Ben Franklin, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Hedy Lamarr and Rosa Parks, has been finally scheduled for September 3 – 12, 2021. Reinventing America – what topic would be more appropriate after a deadly disease has turned our entire world upside-down? After all, after the Plague came the Renaissance.
This ten-day, two-weekend festival offers non-stop live history and fun for the whole family. Get ready to laugh, cry and flat out have a great time. Daily live shows are performed in costume by nationally acclaimed historical interpreters. There will be great story-telling, lots to laugh about, and deep secrets revealed. You’ll laugh – you’ll cry – you’ll have lots of questions. And they’ll be answered. Bring your stories. Share your experiences. Get inspired. Because you’re a part of the show. It’s not just history – it’s personal.
Step back in time and meet these brilliant American game changers – hear their stories – ask them how their world changed. Create a new nation with BEN FRANKLIN. Turn darkness into light with Thomas Edison. Spark the Electrical Revolution with NIKOLA TESLA. Set the stage for WiFi and cell phones with Hollywood’s HEDY LAMARR. And like ROSA PARKS demand your Civil Rights.
To provide a safe environment for our audience all main shows will be held outdoors – daytime and evening. If inclement weather prevents an outdoor event, the performance will be aired virtually at HistoryComesAlive.org.
America has always been – and remains – a work in progress. Each generation has reinvented itself, often in the face of extreme challenges. What happens next? Find out this September at the Chautauqua History Comes Alive Festival – Reinventing America! There’s nothing like experiencing history outdoors in a beautiful setting. There will be great story-telling, lots to laugh about, and deep secrets revealed. You’ll laugh – you’ll cry – you’ll have lots of questions. And they’ll be answered. Bring your stories. Share your experiences. Get inspired. Because it’s not just history – it’s personal.
What can you expect at Chautauqua? Historical interpreters dressed in costume will bring each character to life and to speak in the character’s own words. But then the audience becomes a part of the show with their questions. The replies will be historically authentic, based on research using letters, diaries, journals, and published writings. Finally, the performer will step out of character and answer the audience questions the character either couldn’t or wouldn’t answer.
Who are the performers? A cast of nationally acclaimed historical interpreters. There are simply no better interpreters of these powerful and fascinating historic figures. Ben Franklin (Larry Bounds, Greer, SC) – Thomas Edison (Hank Fincken, Indianapolis IN) – Nikola Tesla (Ian Ruskin, Los Angeles, CA) – Hedy Lamarr (Judith Kalaora, Boston MA) – Rosa Parks (Becky Stone, Fairview NC.)
Where can I see the shows? Outdoor live shows are (September 3 – 12) – Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater, 101 City Center Dr, Mauldin, SC 29662. Bring lawn seating. No reservations needed. Discussion series to be held indoors at the Upcountry History Museum, 540 Buncombe St, Greenville, SC 29601 (Registration required for Discussion Series – HistoryComesAlive.org)
When can I see the shows? Evening outdoor shows at 7pm Friday Sept 3 – Sunday Sept 12. Daytime outdoor shows at 10am Saturday Sept 4 and Monday Sept 6 through Sunday Sept 12.
ASL Interpreted Shows at Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Auditorium (bring lawn seating) – Free.
Wednesday September 8 at 7pm – Thomas Edison
Thursday September 9 at 7pm – Nikola Tesla
Friday September 10 at 7pm – Rosa Parks
Saturday September 11 at 7pm – Ben Franklin
Sunday September 12 at 7pm – Hedy Lamarr
School Outreach programs
As a part of the 2021 History Comes Alive Festival, Chautauqua will also perform the Reinventing America shows at seven Greenville County Schools.
Greenville Chautauqua
More than history. More than a performance. More than a story. We are Chautauqua, a nonprofit, experiential oral tradition that brings history to life through interactive theater and compelling discussion that stimulates critical thinking. We believe stories should be told and histories deserve to be heard. We’re committed to bringing great communities together to celebrate culture, conversation, and critical thought. We celebrate the diversity of our culture through a variety of voices from the past because history belongs to all of us. As a non-profit dedicated to bringing history to life, our events are and always will be free, fun, and family-friendly.
CHAUTAUQUA HISTORY ALIVE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE September 3 – 12, 2021
GREATER GREENVILLE (Free)
Friday 9/3
7:00p Ben Franklin, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
Saturday 9/4
10:00a Rosa Parks, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
7:00p Thomas Edison, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
Sunday 9/5
7:00p Nikola Tesla, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
Monday 9/6
10:00a Thomas Edison, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
7:00p Rosa Parks, Mauldin Amphitheater
Tuesday 9/7
10:00a Nikola Tesla, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
2:00p Rosa Parks Discussion (reservations required,) Upcountry History Museum
7:00p Hedy Lamarr, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
Wednesday 9/8
10:00a Ben Franklin, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
2:00p Nikola Tesla Discussion (reservations required,) Upcountry History Museum
7:00p Thomas Edison, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
Thursday 9/9
10:00a Hedy Lamarr, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
2:00p Ben Franklin Discussion (reservations required,) Upcountry History Museum
7:00p Nikola Tesla, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
Friday 9/10
10:00a Thomas Edison, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
2:00p Hedy Lamarr Discussion (reservations required,) Upcountry History Museum
7:00p Rosa Parks, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
Saturday 9/11
10:00a Nikola Tesla, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
2:00p Thomas Edison Discussion (reservations required,) Upcountry History Museum
7:00p Ben Franklin, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
Sunday 9/12
7:00p Hedy Lamarr, Mauldin Cultural Center Outdoor Amphitheater
For more Information: HistoryComesAlive.org or phone 864-244-1499.