|
Great Women of the Frontier
Enjoy the one-woman show presented at the
National
Governors’ Conference and aboard the
Delta Queen Riverboat for the Smithsonian
Institute.
Behold a
panorama of frontier history from early Native American
legends through the Trail of Tears, Civil War, land runs
and on to the early 1900’s, all seen through the eyes of
the fascinating and courageous women who helped tame the
wild, wild West.
Actor
and playwright Laurette Willis brings these three ladies
to life in her exciting one-woman show, Great
Women of the Frontier.
In a
program suitable for adults & children (grades 4 &
above), you will meet:
Rosana Chouteau
- the first female clan chief in the Osage tribe;
Carrie Bushyhead
- the Cherokee Trail of Tears survivor who became a
prominent Indian Territory educator; and
Nellie O’Keefe
- the rambunctious Irish homesteader who
re-enacts for us the Cherokee Strip Land Run of 1893!
Hear
their tales of courage, trials and triumphs. Laugh and
cry with them as they escort you back in time to the
land of our ancestors – a past to be savored and
enjoyed.
Written
in 1993, Great Women of the Frontier is
Laurette’s most requested show, and is an inspiring,
factual account of our frontier heritage. Historical
information combines with personal experiences to bring
history to life for audiences young and old.
Whenever
possible, she has used the actual words of these women,
taken from diaries and correspondence, which adds to the
striking authenticity of the piece. Willis imparts a
spirit of adventure in her work, bringing the audience
with her into a past full of excitement and intrigue.
If you
would like, directly following Great Women of the
Frontier, a high-energy storytelling session,
“Historical Hysterics,” may be added. These
“cartoons for the mind” are entertaining, highly
interactive fun for the whole family.
In a
school setting, “Historical Hysterics” can be
offered separately, and geared for K-3. See
STORYTELLING for more information.
“Great
Women of the Frontier is very close to my
heart,” says Willis. “I love taking history off the
page and bringing it to life. It’s the real-life drama
– the joys and the tears of these women – and how they
overcame adversity, which makes this show relevant to
our lives today, even in our fast-paced world.”
Laurette
says she is honored that the Cherokee Nation and
other sovereign Indian nations deem this program
eligible for Indian Education funds in the
schools (Johnson O’Malley and Title programs).
The slogan of Mrs. Willis’
company, DoveTale Productions aptly describes her work,
“Uniting the Past with the Present – Dramatically!”
Since 1993 Laurette's shows are
Available for funding from:
Available to work with
Indian Education-funded projects
(JOM,
Title programs and
Cherokee Nation Co-Partner Program).
|
