Question and Answers

What is Ohio Chautauqua?
OHIO CHAUTAUQUA is a five-day event that combines living history, music and entertainment, education, theater, and audience interaction in an exciting cultural event the entire community can enjoy.

The theme is INVENTORS & INNOVATORS. This series will explore the legacies of those who helped shape our modern world. Characters for OHIO CHAUTAUQUA 2009 are inventor Thomas Edison, educator Mary McLeod Bethune, industrialist Andrew Carnegie, scientist George Washington Carver, and inventor Alexander Graham Bell.

The Ohio Humanities Council, the premier facilitator of humanities programs across the state, will present this exciting series. Additional support comes from The Ohio State University Humanities Institute.

What Will Happen During Ohio Chautauqua?
Major presentations occur under the red & white striped tent and begin with local musical entertainment. Each evening, a different living history program is offered. During chautauqua presentations, a scholar becomes a figure from the past, giving a unique monologue that showcases the person’s importance in our culture. The audience then has the opportunity to ask questions of the character. The evening concludes after the scholar steps out of character to answer more audience questions. Audience members can meet and talk with the performers after the presentation.

Concessions will be available, or bring your own picnic. Although the tent holds 500 seats, some folks prefer to bring their own lawn chairs.

In addition to the living history performances, other exciting activities include “behind-the-scenes” programs and workshops for adults and children, scholar presentations at local libraries and other organizations, and various publicity appearances.

Where and When Will Ohio Chautauqua be Held?
OHIO CHAUTAUQUA 2009 will reach out to five communities across the state. Each venue will host the traveling tent show and make it an event that is unique to the community. Please contact those listed below for site-specific information.

Canton: June 23-27; contact Chip Conde at 330-456-9812
Warren: June 29-July 3; contact Bobbie Brown at 330-399-1212 or bbrown@trumbullarts.org
Archbold: July 7-11; contact Jennifer Kidder at 419-445-4025
Euclid: July 15-19; contact Kathy Will at 216-289-8656
Centerville: July 21-25; contact Vickie Bondi at 937-433-0123

Chautauqua activities will take place RAIN OR SHINE.

Free OHIO CHAUTAUQUA companion readers, programs, maps, and activity schedules will be available in local libraries, businesses, newspapers, and bookstores prior to the chautauqua and at the events. Information is also available in OHC’s newsletter, Pathways.

Is Ohio Chautauqua Accessible?
OHIO CHAUTAUQUA sites and programs are accessible to everyone! Services for people with disabilities include designated parking, wheelchair seating areas, and a sound amplification system.

We hope you will join us under the tent and experience the excitement of
OHIO CHAUTAUQUA 2009: INVENTORS & INNOVATORS