History Alive! provides a unique passport to the past. The program brings historical characters to life through portrayals by presenters who have conducted scholarly research on their character. Presenters are available to nonprofit organizations across West Virginia, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, and civic groups.
History Alive! allows audiences to explore history through interaction with historical figures. These presentations are not one-person plays. They are intended to engage audiences in a dialogue with the character.
History Alive! presenters have conducted thorough research into the characters they portray. They have gained insight into their character after studying primary sources such as autobiographies, journals, letters, speeches and other personal papers. Their presentation is based on scholarship and analysis rather than a script.
The Format
Each History Alive! presentation has three parts:
1. Monologue: Characters introduce the historical, social, and political issues that influenced their lives. (15 - 25 minutes)
2. Discussion with the Character: Characters initiate a discussion with the audience, allowing an opportunity for questions and discussion. (10 - 15 minutes)
3. Discussion with the Presenter: Presenters “break character” to answer questions and continue the discussion as researchers rather than as the historical character. (5 - 10 minutes)
How to Host a Presentation
• Hosts contact presenters directly and determine a program date well in advance.
• Presenters submit booking forms to the Council for approval.
• The Council sends host organizations promotional information to use in publicizing the program.
• Host organizations pay presenters’ travel expenses, if possible.
• The Council pays presenters their presentation fee directly.
• Hosts submit the program evaluation to the Council.
The West Virginia Humanities Council provides this program to interested nonprofit groups in West Virginia free of charge. Presenter fees are paid directly by the Council. We do ask that, if possible, the host pay for travel and lodging when needed.Groups are eligible to host a maximum of two Council-funded History Alive! programs between November 1 and October 31. Additional presentations may be arranged with presenters for programs without Council funding.
If you want to host a presentation, contact the presenter directly. Click on the character name at the bottom of this page for a biographical sketch, photograph, and presenter contact information. When you contact the presenter he or she will submit your request to the Council. You will receive promotional materials from the Council to publicize the program. Council also requests that each host group complete and return a one-page program evaluation form after the presentation.
History Alive! presentations must be free and open to the public and publicized as such. Schools are encouraged to open presentations to the public according to their security policy.
REMEMBER
A History Alive! presentation is NOT a play. The audience is expected to enter into discussion with the character.
Be sure to contact presenters well in advance. Funds are limited and presenters must submit booking forms to the Council office no later than the 20th of the month BEFORE the month of your presentation.
These programs are not intended for “walk-by” audiences. They should be presented in a quiet space where other activities will not distract the audience or presenter.Take time to prepare your audience for the presentation. Meet with the presenter before the program to determine an appropriate introduction. It is your responsibility to establish the context of the presentation for your audience.
Communicate with presenters and inform them of the audience size, schedule changes, directions, and other important information.
Make sure that the program is on your school or organization calendar to avoid schedule mix-ups. When you arrange to host a presentation you are making a commitment to the presenter and the Council. If you need to cancel or reschedule, you must give notice to the presenter well in advance.
The West Virginia Humanities Council must be recognized as the sponsor of the event in any publicity for the presentation. Publicity materials are provided by email.
School presentations are intended for classroom-size audiences rather than large assembly-style audiences. Large audiences of multiple grade levels can reduce the effectiveness of the presentation and question/answer periods.You cannot apply for a Humanities Council grant to present a History Alive! character.
Click on a character name for a description, photograph and contact information.History Alive!
Publicity Requirements
Presenters may print copies of forms here.
