ENID, OK - Chautauqua is historical tourism at its finest. It's your chance to time travel to another era and meet some of history's most illustrious characters. Historical enactments include a monologue "in character" and an opportunity to pose questions to both the visiting luminary and the scholar/presenter. Daytime workshops and lectures give further glimpses of the social, cultural and political nuances of the era.
The annual Summer Chautauqua in the Park is coming up June 13-17! This year, the theme is "American Aviation: Barnstorming to Mach-1."
Here is the cast of characters for this year:
Elsa Wolff as Amelia Earhart
Selene Phillips as Eula "Pearl" Carter Scott
Ilene Evans as Rose Cousins
Karen Vuranch as Jacqueline Cochran
Doug Mishler as Chuck Yeager
For more information, go to csrhc.org/chautauqua
From the simplest form of human flight to the most advanced, humans have challenged themselves for over two thousand years to fly! Some among us seek to touch the skies and do so from their seats in the cockpit! From early aviation pioneers to test pilots, these bold aviators have been willing to risk it all to go higher, faster, further.
During our special Chautauqua evenings, we will bring to life five aviators, each with different yet similar stories. We will hear the stories of a pilot’s breath-taking wonderment in flying alone through a star-filled night sky; a courageous little Oklahoma barnstormer who found an inexplicable joy in flying; an accomplished aviator and tenacious social activist who worked to break down the barriers of race, class and gender; a record-setting pilot determined to open the door for other women aviators; and a daredevil test pilot pulled to the edge as he lived for speed.
Now, even though currently earthbound, let’s suspend belief and imagine ourselves flying back in time as we hear the stories of Amelia Earhart, Pearl Carter Scott, Rose Cousins, Jackie Cochran and Chuck Yeager!
Join us on the grounds of the Humphrey Heritage Village at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. Presented in true Chautauqua style under a big top tent, the week-long program includes daily workshops (at 10:30 am and 12:00 noon) and five evening performances (Tuesday through Saturday). Workshops take place in the historical church in the Humphrey Heritage Village. Evening performances kick off at 6:30 pm with local entertainment.
Tuesday, June 13
10:30 am Workshop: Practicality Meets High Fashion, by Selene Phillips
12:00 pm Workshop: "The Beast" & Beyond, by Doug Mishler
6:30 pm Entertainment: TBA
7:30 pm Main Performance: Elsa Wolff as Amelia Earhart
Wednesday, June 14
10:30 am Workshop: Tuskegee Airmen Legacy, by Ilene Evans
12:00 pm Workshop: Flight into Mystery, by Elsa Wolff
6:30 pm Entertainment: TBA
7:30 pm Main Performance: Selene Phillips as Eula "Pearl" Carter Scott
Thursday, June 15
10:30 am Workshop: Fly Girls, by Karen Vuranch
12:00 pm Workshop: Miles of Clear Oklahoma Sky, by Selene Phillips
6:30 pm Entertainment: TBA
7:30 pm Main Performance: Ilene Evans as Rose Cousins
Friday, June 16
10:30 am Workshop: The Cold War & the Space Race, Doug Mishler
12:00 pm Workshop: Mystery & the Adventure of Flight, by Ilene Evans
6:30 pm Entertainment: TBA
7:30 pm Main Performance: Karen Vuranch as Jacqueline Cochran
Saturday, June 17
10:30 am Workshop: Women Aviators of World War II, by Elsa Wolff
12:00 pm Workshop: The Women of NASA, by Karen Vuranch
6:30 pm Entertainment: TBA
7:30 pm Main Performance: Doug Mishler as Chuck Yeager
A special thanks to our partners and sponsors at The Harris Foundation, Park Avenue Thrift, Visit Enid, Enid Arts Council, Rick's Pharmacy, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
All Chautauqua events are always free to attend.
