Thomas Paine: Liberty’s Firebrand

About the event:

Step into the revolutionary era with a lively Chautauqua portrayal of Thomas Paine—pamphleteer, provocateur, and one of the most influential voices of the American Revolution. Through his words and ideas, Paine helped ignite a movement for independence and argued passionately for human rights, democracy, and the power of ordinary people. This engaging living history experience brings Paine to life and invites audiences to consider how bold ideas can shape the course of a nation.

About Dr. Doug A. Mishler

Since 1993 when he accidentally became P. T. Barnum, Doug has toured the country bringing“history to life” with a rogue’s gallery of characters. He recently added Big Al Capone, and has just launched Thomas Paine! Doug’s characters are diverse and include Nikita Khrushchev, Theodore Roosevelt, Ernie Pyle, and even Pablo Picasso. Doug has made over 800 presentations including Henry Ford, Jackson Pollock, and recently added Sir Ernest Shackleton, Chuck Yeager, Gene Roddenberry, and Earl Warren. Yes, you’re correct, Doug hears voices, but only 34 of them are actual historical characters—the others we don’t talk about. He is also the founder and Managing Artistic Director of Restless Artists’ Theatre in Reno and taught American Cultural history for over 23 years. And no, he does not have a real job!

Moderator Susan Marie Frontczak is a living history performer with 24 years of experience developing six Chautauqua portrayals, presented in 43 U.S. states and nine countries. Her characters include Marie Curie, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary Shelley, Irene Castle, Clara Barton, and Erma Bombeck. She has coached Living History presenters since 2004 and is the author of the Young Chautauqua handbooks for Colorado Humanities.

This program is made possible in part through partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Leach Foundation.