For five days each August, audiences step back in time as High Plains Chautauqua (HPC) recreates the turn-of-the-century traveling tent Chautauqua that brought education and entertainment to communities in the form of lectures, concerts, and plays.  HPC is continuing its three-year series on the "American identity," bringing to the Chautauqua tent historic characters who demonstrate uniquely American traits. In 2007, the first year of “The American Spirit,” HPC focused on the colonial and Revolutionary War period, when colonists began to see themselves as Americans rather than as English. The theme of August 5-9, 2008 HPC, “The American Spirit: Practical Dreamers,” will feature nineteenth century Americans who created the American dream – and the American myth. The way they dreamed and, in their own pragmatic way, put those dreams into effect created what it means to be American. Scholar/actors will bring these practical dreamers – these utopians, reformers, entrepreneurs, inventors and rugged individualists – to life each evening under the Chautauqua tent. 

Tuesday, August 5           
P.T. Barnum exemplified key American traits such as enterprise and energy, and his amazing rise from poverty to wealth was the consummate American “rags to riches” story. His belief in democracy made him an ardent patriot and forced him into politics, where he was an early voice for the enfranchisement of blacks and women’s equality. 

Wednesday, August 6           
Frances E.W. Harper was the first and the best known of the 19th century African American protest poets who used their verses to advance equality. She was frequently the only representative of color in the leading women’s organizations.  “A woman of strong personality,” there was nothing demure about her politics.

Horace Greeley’s editorials in the New York Tribune, addressed such political and social issues as utopian reform, temperance, education, agrarian collectivism, women’s rights, and slavery. Greeley also promoted the Homestead Act, a transcontinental railroad, land-grant colleges, protective tariffs, tough bankruptcy laws, and a national bank.

Thursday, August 7             
One of America’s earliest and greatest environmentalist prophets, Henry David Thoreau was an incisive critic of materialistic pursuits. His essay “Civil Disobedience”urged the reader to follow his conscience rather than the law when he is convinced that the law is unjust. His justification of civil disobedience reflects the American conundrum: how far individual rights may go against majority rule.

The undisputed leader of the woman suffrage movement, Susan B. Anthony had one goal: to achieve woman's suffrage and through it the political and social equality of women. A brilliant strategist, she understood how to tack to the left or the right to steer the movement closer to its goal.

Friday, August 8           
Zikala-Sa returned from three years of missionary schooling with ambivalence toward her identity as a Yankton Sioux, “neither a wild Indian, nor a tame one.” Her writings reflect the struggle between assimilation and preserving Indian traditions, as Indians struggled to find their place in this new country.  

Thomas Alva Edison’s inventions changed the lives of every American. He embodied America’s “can do” attitude as he overcame many failures to give America light, recorded music, and motion pictures.  

Saturday, August 9           
Mark Twain's humor allowed us to laugh at human nature and at ourselves as Americans. Through his social commentary and his constant deriding of shams, frauds and humbugs, Twain became the conscience of nineteenth century America.

Daytime programs will include adult lectures, music, and activities that explore nineteenth century America, the Kids’ Chautauqua, and performances by Young Chautauquans. A Family Day on Saturday will recreate the flavor of the Old West, including fur traders, mountain men, and Victorian entertainment. A highlight will be the appearance of Buffalo Bill Cody, whose legendary exploits helped create the myth of the American West that endures today, and a sharp shooting exhibition by Annie Oakley.

All programs are FREE.  For more information go to www.highplainschautauqua.org or call 970-339-6365.