Photos/Rhonda Silence When he wasn’t talking to visitors at the Night of the Notorious, Jim Bowie (Kipp Sande) quietly read the Bible. He explained that he had converted to Catholicism so he could purchase land in Mexico. His map showed the location of the land.
Visitors to the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Monday, January 11, 2010 were treated to interesting glimpses into the lives of 15 historical figures. Students in the UMD College Writing course, taught at Cook County High School by Ivy Church, portrayed the characters—notorious or notable. The presentations, complete with furniture and accessories from the historical character’s era, were delightful to see and to hear. Students tactfully refused to break character and questions were answered only when asked in proper historical context.
Regal Pharaoh Hatshepsut (Jaclyn Biesemeyer) had perhaps the most elaborate surroundings, including a pyramid and a bodyguard (Jordan Zunker).
A character who had visitors guessing was Mary Surratt (Carly Puch), the first woman executed by the U.S. government. Puch deftly avoided questions about Surratt’s involvement with the shooting of President Abraham Lincoln. Although she admitted she needed slaves to work on her family’s tobacco holdings, she insisted that she was innocent, knowing nothing about the meetings held at her boarding house by conspirators.
Hunter S. Thompson (Drew Holmen) appeared to relish his “gonzo” lifestyle.
Marine Corps sniper Carlos Hathcock (Will Hellner) was one of the lesser-known, but very interesting, characters. Hellner portrayed the Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who earned fame for his long-distance shooting, with the serious and respectful manner of a Marine from Arkansas. When asked by a young visitor, “How’d you get so good?” Hellner/Hathcock replied, “Some things just come natural.”
Journalist Hunter S. Thompson (Drew Holmen) was one of the most notorious characters, successful despite himself. Known for inventing gonzo journalism (becoming part of the story), Holmen evaded questions to his character about his use of alcohol and illegal drugs and acknowledged that publishers found him difficult to work with. “Deadlines have never been my strong suit,” replied Thompson/Holmen.
Mary Surratt (Carly Puch) calmly knit as she answered charges that she was involved with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The first woman executed by the U.S. government, she insisted she was innocent until her death.
Another character who had problems with alcohol was Martha Jane Cannary, “Calamity Jane” (Essa Jacobsen). Cannary/Jacobsen garnered sympathy from visitors, though, as she detailed the “calamities” she invited. It seems a number of historic characters had problems with alcohol abuse, as James Bowie (Kipp Sande) admitted the flask next to his famed knife was used quite frequently. However, Bowie/ Sande too had his share of hardships, having lost his family to cholera.
Other equally intriguing characters were aptly portrayed by Erica Borson (Eleanor Roosevelt); Karlee Axtell (Queen Isabel I); Jonathan Baumann (Theodore Roosevelt); Melissa James (Kate Sheppard); Skyler Johnson (John Dillinger); Taryn Logan (Wilma Mankiller); Alec Muhich (Ernest Shackleton); and Jacob Rude (Jackie Robinson). Unfortunately Brock Hommerding was ill and was unable to present Christopher Wallace, a notorious modern figure, the “face of rap music.”
Pharaoh Hatshepsut (Jaclyn Biesemeyer) was very serious about her role as a woman ruler in a man’s world. She lived from 1530 B.C. to 1482 B.C. With her is her protector Senemut (Jordan Zunker).
All in all, it was an exciting night of history brought to life by the college in the schools program.
Leave a Reply