Hal Bidlack’s performances as Alexander Hamilton bring history alive for his audiences, and brings back the excitement, frustrations, and brilliance that was the Founding of America. Dr. Bidlack was a career officer in the United States Air Force, retiring from active duty, with over 25 years of service, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the summer of 2006. He holds all his academic degrees from the University of Michigan, including a doctorate in Political Science. His dissertation, focusing on environmental policy making, examined the role of the military in a range of global environmental issues, including climate change. Dr. Bidlack taught political science at USAFA for 15 years as an active duty officer, and for 2 additional years as a civilian after retirement from the military. He specialized in American national government issues, the Founding, and environmental affairs. He also serves as a senior research fellow at two DC-based think tanks. Most recently, Dr. Bidlack served on the staff of a US Senator. He currently publishes a twice- weekly political column in Colorado, performs as Hamilton around the country, is an active woodworker, and to keep things interesting, is a former High School football referee.
EducationGrowing up on the south-side of Chicago in a family of seven children raised by a widowed Mother, Terry learned at an early age that success is defined in many different ways. After leaving college to pursue his professional acting career he discovered there are many ups and downs along the way, not just in acting but in life as well. Along the way he found his true love and married her. Together they not only raised two brilliantly creative children but started a company together that presents one-man historical portrayals. If that wasn’t enough, he and his wife wrote two books together, Mistakes Happen: An Historical Guide to Overcoming Adversity, and Nicholas comes to America, the Story of Santa Claus. Through it all he has continued to act on Stage, Radio and Television as not only an actor but a voice over artist as well. Terry regularly appears on the WGN Morning News Show and most recently can be seen in the feature film Lacey’s Christmas Do-Over as Hank McGuire owner of the Pine Hill B&B. Terry continues to use his years of Theatrical and Improvisational training from Northern Illinois University, Second City Training Center, and iO Theater to create unique presentations that are humorous, informative, and inspirational.
Chautauqua began as an educational gathering, originating as an American movement in the late 1800s, providing public lectures, religious programs and concerts during the summer months. It was an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, showmen, preachers, and specialists of the day. Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was quoted as saying that Chautauqua is "the most American thing in America."
Chautauqua in Boulder City, Nevada, began in 1992, and continues today as an exploration and enrichment of life through three pillars of programming: education, cultural arts, and recreation.
Boulder City Chautauqua is a Non-Profit 501 (c)(3) Organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent permissible under law.
Katharine Pittman (Martha Washington)
Katharine Pittman lives in Williamsburg, Virginia where she has been researching and portraying Martha Washington for over a decade. Originally from North Carolina, Katharine received her degree in Theater and History from Wake Forest University where she learned the foundations of the craft of first person interpretation. Through her work, she has traveled across the country interpreting Martha Washington and enjoys engaging with audiences of all ages. Her portrayal of Mrs Washington has been featured on stage and screen thorough out the years including the Ellen Show, The New York Times, Washington Post and being interviewed by Ted Koppel for CBS Sunday Morning. She is honored to be asked to perform for the Boulder City Chautauqua and hopes that the craft of first person interpretation will inspire the next generation to engage with their history.
Terry Lynch (Paul Revere)
About the Chautauquans
Karen Vuranch weaves together a love of history, a passion for stories and a sense of community. She has toured throughout the U.S. with her traditional storytelling and living history performances and has completed five performance tours of Wales and England with Coal Camp Memories. She also participated in a storytelling exchange in China in 2002. Karen brings history to life with interpretations of women from America's past, including Pearl Buck, Mother Jones, Mary Draper Ingles, Emma Edmonds, Clara Barton, Belle Starr, Louella Parsons, Julia Child, and her most recent character, Mama Cass. Karen also writes and produces audience participation murder mysteries, often working with community groups, creating a production in just two or three days using members of the community. She has been honored by many organizations, receiving in 2017 the Mountain Lion Award from the President of Concord University, where she is a faculty member. Other awards include the Tamarack Artisan Fellowship for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, Performing Artist of the Year for Tamarack, the Robert C. Byrd Community Service Award, and others too numerous to mention here. In 1994, Karen and her husband Gene Worthington performed together at the White House.