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History Alive!: An Evening with James Armistead Lafayette
January 27, 2023, 7 p.m.
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The Oklahoma History Center is honored to present Colonial Williamsburg’s Stephen Seals in a portrayal of James Armistead Lafayette. Join us for this special presentation in the Chesapeake Event Center and Gallery on Friday, January 27 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers. There is no reserved seating, so early arrival is recommended. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
James Armistead Lafayette was born in 1748. He met the Marquis de Lafayette in 1780, who enlisted him as a spy for the Continental forces. Upon arriving behind enemy lines, both Benedict Arnold and Charles Cornwallis enlisted him to spy on American forces. After the war ended, he fought for his freedom for another five years before finally gaining it in 1787 and taking on the last name of the Marquis. He married and lived out his life, being reunited with Lafayette in 1824 in Richmond. He died in 1830.
Stephen Seals began his professional career as a freelance actor traveling the country performing and directing theater for 14 years before being hired by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He attended Virginia Commonwealth University as a Theater Education major. Seals spent 10 years teaching theater in the Richmond community and working as an actor, director, stage manager, production manager, and lighting designer. He started working at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation 12 years ago as an Actor Interpreter and was also a supervisor of the unit for three years before becoming the Manager of Program Development for African American and Religion Interpretation. In addition to his position as Manager of Curated Programs, Stephen currently portrays Nation Builder James Lafayette.
