English-Speaking Union

About this event

To commemorate our nation’s founding 250 years ago, The English-Speaking Union will host acclaimed historic interpreters Kurt Smith & Katharine Pittman as they provide 1st person portrayals of the Declaration of Independence’s primary author Thomas Jefferson & Revolutionary War general & President George Washington’s wife Martha. As neighbors and prominent Virginia planters, their families spent considerable time together and shared a cordial, productive relationship… but didn’t always share the same views about this fledgling country. You’ll witness an honest and spirited conversation between the two, followed by a chance to get answers to any of your questions and concerns – while they stay in character – as America continues to debate these founding principles today.

Both Smith and Pittman have been portraying Jefferson and Lady Washington respectively full-time for more than a decade, entertaining audiences both domestic and international. They have devoted their lives to studying their characters deeply through primary source materials and historical documents.

Smith received his MFA from the University of Iowa, has acted in NYC, and taught collegiate theater. Pittman graduated from Wake Forest University and has even incorporated authentic 18th-century skills such as sidesaddle riding into her portrayal. (No, she won’t be demonstrating that at the Country Club!)