Press Release
January 27, 2016
Contact: Steve Hawkins
Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-0754
shawkins@okhistory.org
www.okhistory.org/historycenter
Oklahoma History Center to Host President James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution"
Oklahoma City, Okla. — The Oklahoma History Center is honored to present Bryan Austin as the 4th President of the United States, James Madison. This performance will take place on Thursday, February 4, at 7 p.m. There is no charge for this event, but seating is limited so an early arrival is recommended. This event is made possible by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council and Sonic, America’s Drive-In.
“The opportunity to share a special program featuring a President James Madison reenactor is the continuation of a long-standing initiative by the Oklahoma History Center to share world-class interpreters and their stories with the public. This program is also part of an ongoing mutually beneficial relationship with Colonial Williamsburg, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and Mount Vernon that allows for unique, family friendly and high quality education programs for students and people of all ages. Similar programs in the past featuring portrayals of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, among other noted historical figures, have received high praise and been very well received by the public,” said Dan Provo, director of the Oklahoma History Center.
President James Madison will be portrayed by Bryan Austin. Currently, Austin represents the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and portrays President Madison in performances worldwide. Previously, he worked as a professional actor and director for everything from Shakespeare to puppetry.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is more than a tourist destination; it is a living history concept that brings students and visitors into the heart of history by using modern technology to tell the stories of America’s past. This is accomplished through publications, online games, podcasts, music, photographs, videos, electronic field trips, classroom guides and teacher training. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a not-for-profit, privately funded, educational and cultural organization. All proceeds from tickets to the Revolutionary City and museums, Colonial Williamsburg hotels, dining, spa, shops and golf courses directly fund their educational mission. The Oklahoma History Center is proud of its continued participation and partnership with this dedicated institution.
Funding for this program is provided in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of OHC or NEH. The Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote meaningful public engagement with the humanities—disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, ethics and philosophy. The humanities offer a deeper understanding of ourselves and others by confronting us with the questions, values, and meanings of the human experience. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OHC brings people together to explore these ideas through programming and community grants that support book groups, exhibits, film festivals, teacher institutes, and more. OHC engages people in their own communities, providing forums for education, critical thinking, and productive civil discourse.
The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Association of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains 31 museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
