“Rights and Reformers” is the theme of this year's Maryland Humanities Council's annual Chautauqua program, featuring Woody Guthrie, Jackie Robinson and Eleanor Roosevelt. Near the Fourth of July each year, MHC brings Chautauqua to communities throughout Maryland. Scholar/actors portray historical characters for community audiences, complete with costume, props, mannerisms and accents. After the presentation, the performer answers the audience's questions first in character, then as him- or herself. Presenters are scholar David Fenimore (University of Nevada, Reno), actor Gregory Gibson Kenney and professional Chautauquan Suzan King. "Chautauqua" was named for New York's Chautauqua Lake area, where the movement began in 1874 as a Methodist summer retreat. By 1900, more than 400 summer communities had developed, and touring companies presented lectures, debates and performances across the country. This summer, the Chautauquans appear throughout Maryland, June 7-July 12. [LINK] Posted by Linda Frye Burnham