Gellhorn v. Hemingway: In Love and War

This series is dedicated to George Frein and Charles Pace in honor of their enduring contributions to the humanities in North Dakota.

About the event:

This special three-day series explores the extraordinary relationship between Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn, two of the twentieth century’s most influential literary voices. Through Chautauqua performances and a staged theatrical exchange, audiences are invited to experience history as a living, human story.

One registration grants access to all three events in the series. Attendees are welcome to attend any or all events.

This event will be held in person, with a livestream option and recordings available for registered attendees.

Series Schedule

Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 7:30 pm

Ernest Hemingway: A Chautauqua Performance by John Dennis Anderson

A vivid portrayal of Hemingway’s life, work, and the experiences that shaped his writing.

Thursday, Sept. 17 | 7:30 pm

Gellhorn v. Hemingway: In Love and War

A staged dramatic exchange between two literary icons navigating love, war, ambition, and artistic identity, followed by audience conversation.

Friday, Sept. 18 | 3:00 pm

Martha Gellhorn: A Chautauqua Performance by Jarice Hanson

A powerful portrayal of one of the twentieth century’s most fearless war correspondents.

Featured Artists and Production Team

John Dennis Anderson is a performance studies scholar and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Communication Studies at Emerson College. Since 1994, he has presented Chautauqua performances as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Robert Frost, and other literary figures across the country. Anderson also served as a faculty member for Humanities North Dakota’s online Chautauqua Training Institute and received the National Communication Association’s Lilla Heston Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Interpretation and Performance Studies in 2017.

Jarice Hanson is Professor Emerita of Communication at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an accomplished stage, screen, and television performer. Her academic and creative work explores the social effects of technology and the stories of women often overlooked throughout history. Since 2022, she has performed her solo show “Frances Perkins: A Woman’s Work” more than 40 times nationwide.

Dean Bellin is an Associate Professor of Technical Theatre at Bismarck State College, where he teaches technical production, design, and theatrical practice. With more than two decades of experience across theatre, live events, film, and television, his work blends artistic creativity with technical innovation and experiential learning. His design work has received regional and national recognition, including commendation from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

This event is presented in partnership with BSC's Bringing Humanities to Life, The National Endowment for the Arts, and the Leach Foundation.