David Ballard's
Living History Characters
A Colonial American Schoolmaster
Set in the early 1790's, our Colonial Schoolmaster holds class for his colonial students (the audience). He reads segments from the recently adopted Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as other great documents of the times, such as The Declaration of Independence, and the writings and speeches of American patriots like Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry. He illuminates these great writings by explaining and annotating them in a language that the students can more easily understand. David also gives his students a sense of the times by playing music on period instruments such as the fife, and the pipe and tabor, and by singing some popular tunes of the day. To this, he adds some amusing stories and anecdotes and comic portrayals of characters such as "Mad King George" of England. Having studied at The College of William and Mary in Virginia as a class mate of Thomas Jefferson, our schoolmaster, Thomas Ballard provides a first hand look into the thinking and passions that helped to form our early republic. This program is highly entertaining and educational. It leaves your students with not only a better understanding of the American Revolution, but it gives them a sometimes touching, sometimes funny look into the lives and times of our first patriots.
Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol
Ebeneezer Scrooge
David Ballard plays the character of the great English author, Charles Dickens. Using the adaptation that Dickens himself prepared for his own staged readings of A Christmas Carol, he gives a powerful dramatic rendition of this holiday classic. David does more than just read from the story, he acts out all of your favorite characters using different, voices, postures, props and pieces of costuming. Meet Ebeneezer Scrooge, his partner in chains, Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family, the Ghosts of Christmas and all the others as Ebeneezer realizes the true meaning of Christmas.
Also, David can play Scrooge on the streets, lanes or hallways of your event, interacting with your patrons as he strolls about. Beginning his portrayal as the "Bah Humbug" character, dressed in top-hat and tails; at an appointed time David changes character and appears in nightshirt and cap as the newly transformed harbinger of the Christmas spirit.
click on picture to view a video of David as Scrooge
in a stage production of A Christmas Carol
David Ballard has worked as a living history character for The National Park Service at Yorktown National Historic Park, Jamestown Island National Historic Park, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, America's International Bicentennial Celebration and for The Smithsonian Institution at The National Museum of American History and The National Museum of American Art.
In education David has presented performances, residencies and workshops for The Virginia Arts Commission, the Artist Residency Program of The Virginia Museum, The Arlington Humanities Project and for many independent schools, museums , libraries, theatres and festivals. He also taught on the theatre faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University. David holds a degree in theatre from The College of William and Mary.
David Ballard is also a master puppeteer and professional fool. To find out more about David click on the links below.
Fool of Moxie Comedy / Variety Entertainment
Drama and Puppetry Workshops
Moxie Marionettes Hand-crafted professional wooden marionettes and giant parade style body puppets
For prices and more information contact: David Ballard / 12610 West SR 235 / Alachua, FL 32615
Tel: 386-462-5797 Cell: 904-233-7093 E-mail: MoxieProductions@aol.com