The West Virginia Humanities Council seeks applications from individuals interested in portraying historical figures for its popular History Alive! program. Historically significant people no longer living, from any period of history, are eligible.
Those interested in applying should contact Kyle Warmack at the Humanities Council 304-346-8500 or warmack@wvhumanities.org for more information. History Alive! character application materials are available at wvhumanities.org on the History Alive! program webpage.
The Humanities Council will accept proposals for portrayals of influential people who have made important contributions to state, national or international history. These could include, but are not limited to, explorers, inventors, musicians, national leaders, artists, authors, educators, military leaders, athletes, scientists, business and labor leaders, activists and others. The roster of characters now includes characters such as Virginia frontiersman Thomas Ingles, first lady Abigail Adams, entertainment pioneer Walt Disney, abolitionist Harriet Tubman, author Pearl S. Buck, West Virginia soldier Colonel Ruby Bradley and more.
History Alive! characters are researched thoroughly by the presenters who portray them. Research among first-person sources—such as letters, journals, speeches, official papers, autobiographies and other archival materials—is required to develop the presentations. History Alive! presentations are given for civic groups and at schools, libraries, senior centers, museums, parks, historical societies, community events, festivals and a wide range of public gatherings across West Virginia.
The application deadline is March 1, 2025. Proposed characters should have statewide name recognition. Legends and mythical figures are not eligible. Composite characters representing a specific figure from West Virginia history, such as a coal miner, suffragist or folklife practitioner, may be considered. Proposals are reviewed by a committee; any selected for further consideration advance to an audition. Presenters who pass the audition will join the History Alive! program beginning immediately after selection and receive a stipend from the Humanities Council for each program they present.
