The American Historical Theatre strives to bring schools the very best in historical programs. While we try to make our presentations entertaining, we are first and foremost a company that educates. For this reason we only train and use the very special few who can become historical interpreters.
They are not look-alikes, not actors, not teachers, not historians – they are an amazing and unique blend of ALL these ingredients and qualifications. AHT interpreters come from all parts of the east coast – Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., etc..
Our school visits usually consist of:
1.) A whole day, one school – 2 interactive assemblies (max 250 students each)
2.) Split day, 2 schools – 1 interactive assembly, 1 classroom visit (only available within a 25 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Each assembly lasts approximately one hour and includes a 20 minute question and answer period. Block bookings are encouraged. You can make these bookings more cost effective by joining together with other schools in your area and sharing travel and accommodation expenses. Residencies frequently result in sponsorship and opportunities to interact with city leaders and reporters from the local press. Teacher materials supplied.
Here are some of the individual historical character programs we offer:
Christopher Columbus (grades 1-5)
Galileo (grades (5-8)
George Washington (grades 4-7)
Dr. Benjamin Franklin (grades 4-7)
Abraham Lincoln (grades 1-3, 4-6)
Thomas Jefferson (grades 4-6)
Harriet Tubman (grades 4-8, 9-12)
Abigail Adams (grades 4-8)
Amelia Earhart (grades 7-12)
Rosa Parks (grades 7-8, 9-12)
Betsy Ross (grades 2-6)
Alice Paul (grades 7-8, 9-12)
Ichabod Crane (grades 4-8)
If we bring a play to your school with two or more characters, it is advisable to centralize the performance and bus the students in. For instance, a local high school or junior college auditorium equipped with a fine stage, lighting and amplification can be utilized to bus in the 5th grade students from surrounding grade schools.
Here are some of the plays we offer:
A Rising And A Setting Sun (Children’s Version)
George Washington is at his home, Mount Vernon in Virginia, and is visited by his old friend Dr. Benjamin Franklin. They talk about their family relationships, their political careers and some of the most exciting events in their lives. The play runs approximately 45 minutes, is interactive with the audience, and ends with a Press Conference (question and answer period). Play requires a few simple pieces of furniture and lasts approximately one hour.
Galileo: Messenger From the Stars
Galileo and his loyal helper, Brother Benedictus, recruit audience members to help relive events that lead up to Galileo’s thrilling discoveries about the solar system., the denunciation of his radical ideas and his subsequent house arrest. Young students are introduced to the telescope and the planets as this man of astronomy and mathematics overturns century old beliefs. Play requires a few simple pieces of furniture and lasts approximately one hour.