2026 Boulder City Chautauqua: Spark of a New Nation
In this episode of The Best Dam Podcast, Jill sits down with Ihla Crowley, Project Director for the Boulder City Chautauqua. Ihla shares how the organization brings history to life through immersive living history performances, gearing up for this year's theme, "Spark of a New Nation," in honor of America's 250th anniversary.
Ihla opens up about the rich history of Chautauqua in Boulder City—from its humble beginnings iun 1992 under a tent in Bicentennial Park to its evolution today. She details the intense dedication of historical scholars, how themes and characters like Martha Washington, Paul Revere, and Alexander Hamilton are chosen, and how community support, silent auctions, and volunteers keep this beloved educational tradition thriving.
DISCUSSION
- Boulder City Chautauqua & "Spark of a New Nation": Celebrating nearly 35 years of living history with portrayals of Martha Washington, Paul Revere, and Alexander Hamilton honoring America's 250th anniversary.
- The Art of Historical Scholars: Highlighting the incredible research and background of scholars like Katharine Pittman (Martha Washington), Dr. Hal Bidlack (Alexander Hamilton), and Terry Lynch (Paul Revere).
- 35 Years of Boulder City History: Recalling Chautauqua's origins in 1992 with the Chamber of Commerce, early days in a tent at Bicentennial Park, and moving to the Boulder Theater.
- Funding & Community Support: Navigating grant transitions with the Nevada Arts Council and raising funds through community support and private foundations.
- Custom Chautauqua Quilt Silent Auction: Featuring a unique fundraising quilt crafted by Kim Madrazo and quilted by Jessica Whitaker of Silver State Stitch Shop using past event t-shirts.
- The 20-20-20 Chautauqua Format: Explaining the interactive three-part structure of performances featuring monologue, in-character Q&A, and out-of-character scholar Q&A.
- Youth Involvement & Volunteer Service: Encouraging school involvement, youth education, and calling for community volunteers and committee members.
- Event Details & Ticket Bundles: Sharing schedule information for the October event at Boulder Creek Pavilion, special ticket bundle savings, and the Thursday night meet-and-greet dinner.
LEARN MORE
For more information about Boulder City Chautauqua, visit https://www.bcchautauqua.org/
Purchase your tickets online for the Boulder City Chautauqua for 2026 at
https://bcc-2026.ticketbud.com/
In-Person Ticket Purchase Options:
Ace Hardware, 541 Nevada Way
Boulder Dam Hotel, 1305 Arizona Street
BC Chamber of Commerce, 100 Nevada Way
(check or cash only please at these locations)
To learn more about the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, visit their website at https://www.bouldercitychamber.com
KEYWORDS
Ihla Crowley, Boulder City Chautauqua, Boulder City, Historical Scholars, Living History, America 250, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, The Best Dam Podcast
#IhlaCrowley #BoulderCityChautauqua #BoulderCity #LivingHistory #America250 #LocalHistory #ArtsAndCulture #TheBestDamPodcast #Chautauqua
Podcast Transcript
Jill: All right, wonderful listeners. Wait till you hear about this special event. It's coming right around the corner. This is today our recording with Ms. Ihla Crowley. She's amazing. She is with the Boulder City Chautauqua. She's our project director here in Boulder City.
We are so glad to have her. She is quite an institution here in Boulder quite a history here in Boulder, so thank you so much for being here.
Ihla: Thank you for having me.
Jill: We're excited to learn a little bit more about this year's Boulder City Chautauqua, which every year it's an educational opportunity.
And so I can't wait to hear a little bit more about this year. So can you share what we're gonna be looking forward to?
Ihla: Sure. By the way,Chautauqua's been in Boulder City for 35 years.
Jill: Oh, my goodness.
Ihla: Going on 35 years, so it is quite an institution. But this year, yes, we have, Chautauqua is where, scholars portray historical characters. And this year we always have a theme, and this year's theme is Spark of a New Nation, which plays into the 250th, anniversary of the country.
Jill: Perfect.
Ihla: So we're continuing on that. We've known about that we were gonna have this theme for several years now, so we did quite a bit of preparation.
So again, it's Spark of a New Nation, and, the characters that we have are, Martha Washington and, Paul Revere and Alexander Hamilton.
Jill: Oh, my gosh, how exciting is that? We were just in Washington, DC, and Martha Martha Washington's home is just spectacular. And so many people enjoy getting to visit that and learning more about her and learning about her concerns and her life and some of the things you always wonder about the person who's behind the, the the either celebrity or the political figure. And it's always interesting to learn about, the spouse, and I'm so excited to hear more about her. Yeah. And then Paul Revere, of course. I mean, such a perfect way to celebrate America 250 as well as Alexander Hamilton.
Ihla: It's gonna be a fun one. Yeah. Yes. Oh,
Jill: I am so excited to learn more about that. I'm gonna ask you a whole bunch of slew of questions because, number one, I want to learn, but number two, I can imagine if there's somebody who doesn't know what a Chautauqua is explain the depth at which those, those actors that are portraying those individuals, explain kind of the idea behind what a Chautauqua does and the amount of work that those individuals put into it.
Ihla: Well, we actually call them scholars as opposed to actors. and, the, a lot of them are professors. our, Martha Washington this time is Katherine Pittman, who actually portrays, she researches and portrays, Martha Washington at, the Williamsburg historical site.
Jill: Really? How cool.
Ihla: And she was on, And she's been on many different programs, and on the PBS 250th celebration, she was, had a performance there. Wow. She was part of that performance, and so I was very pleased to see that. So she's high quality. Then we have, Hal Bidlack, who is, he's a specialist about, political science and so on.
He, has studied Alexander Hamilton and other figures. he was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force.
Jill: Wow.
Ihla: He's got a doctorate in political science. He taught for 15-plus years in the Air Force, plus a couple years outside of the Air Force, and specializes in national government issues and the Founding.
So he is really the expert on Alexander Hamilton, so we're really pleased to have him. And then Terry Lynch, our Paul Revere. it's gonna be more like a... He creates unique presentations that are humorous, informative, and inspirational.
Jill: How cool
Ihla: is that? And so these are the three very high-quality, scholars we have this year.
Jill: I would imagine they are so inspired by the studying that they need to do in order to be able to portray them and the mannerisms and one of my all-time favorites was Julia Child. I found her and that scholar, I found her to be so fun. And I mean, the way she banged pots and pans, very similar.
And
Ihla: Yeah
Jill: it was just, I mean, right down to just a perfect portrayal of what I have come to know, just from, you know what I've watched on, on TV television.
Ihla: Yeah.
Jill: And so I would imagine that they just really enjoy all that study and that history. Now as scholars, and obviously they're in that role.
Ihla: Yeah.
Jill: I would imagine that, it's very fulfilling for them. Have you ever had that conversation with them?
Ihla: Well, yes, a bit. and some of the, scholars that we have do more than one character, and so they're and they're more, like historians.
And, you know, we chat about that quite a bit and what their background is when we have them here. They love coming to Boulder City. Oh, fun. Boulder City is their favorite.
Jill: Oh, yay.
Ihla: And, we've had like we have this one fellow, Doug Mischler, who's a professor up in Reno. and he does, like, 20 characters and he's been here many, many times, but so I've gotten to know him very well. And we're like friends.
And, they just love coming to Boulder City.
Jill: I love that.
Ihla: Yes. These three, this time, I guess Hal Bidlack has been here before, years ago. As I say, we've been doing this 35 years. So, it was during a time when I wasn't involved for a while. And he's, he did say when I contacted him, "Oh, I'd love to come back to Boulder City because"
Jill: Oh, great
Ihla: they, the people are so friendly, and we, most of the time they stay at the historic Boulder
Jill: Boulder Dam Hotel
Ihla: And so everything's so close within walking distance.
Jill: Right.
Ihla: and, they really love coming here.
Jill: Oh, I love to hear that kind of thing. And, so is there a, an organization that they subscribe to or are a part of that you know to go to get these individual scholars? How do you find them?
Ihla: That's an interesting question because it's not always that, that, easy. In the past, there have been... They've tried, some people have tried to compile a list of different, scholars, who do this. But it's more kind of word of mouth. it's more, as I say, Doug Mischler, he does all those characters.
We don't you know, we can't have him every year, although he's very good. We do have to have some variety, but he knows a lot of the people then, so I can contact him. we develop a theme. We develop characters, or we pick characters, and then we go looking for if anybody does it.
Jill: Oh, cool.
Ihla: So you go online. You check. There's different, different states. There's a Chautauqua in almost every state.
Jill: Right. Right.
Ihla: And there's fewer than there used to be. but Ohio has some. I think in Oklahoma they have. So then you just start googling the, you know, Gemini really works for me well these days.
Now I just say, "What scholars, portray this, this historical character?" And up come a bunch of names.
Jill: Wow.
Ihla:So that's has really helped.
Jill: Well, that's great.
Ihla: Yeah.
Jill: Yeah. I'm glad that, I'm glad that we're finding that information. What a great opportunity. I wondered how you dig for that, but that makes- a lot of sense. And so I would imagine that, they travel all over 'cause they're not... Or do you try to only get ones that are somewhat close to Nevada, or do they travel all over? It sounds like, the one that is Martha Washington, she's coming from Williamsburg.
Ihla: Yes, and Hal Bidlack is coming from Colorado.
Terry Lynch, I'm not sure where he lives, but no, we've had people from all over the states.
Jill: Oh, neat.
Ihla: Yeah.
Jill: And so hopefully, since they love Boulder City, they go back and they do a little of advertising for us and marketing.
Ihla: Sure.
Jill: Yeah, see? This is, there's tourism involved in all of this. Okay. I love it. That is great.
Okay, so can you share a little bit more about how you got involved with this? Because I know there's a lot of history there. Can you kind of tell us how does Chautauqua get started here in Boulder City, and what, how are you tied to that?
Ihla: Well, moved here in 1991. one of my first jobs here was working for the Chamber of Commerce.
Jill: That's right. That's right. That's what I was hoping you'd get to.
Ihla: And, and Theda Cox at that time was,a member of the, Nevada Humanities Committee. And, and they at that time were doing a Chautauqua in Nevada, I mean, up in Reno. And they wanted to bring this culture to this rural community, and, which we are.
Jill: Right.
Ihla: As you know. That's right. We're designated as a rural community. And so they gave us a $10,000 grant.
Jill: Wow.
Ihla: The chamber was the, kind of the sponsor of it, so to speak. and, And I worked that first year with Jennie McIlvaine, who was
Jill: Yes
Ihla: the director at that time.
Jill: Yep.
Ihla: And then, so that was in 1992 actually.
And after that, Jennie McIlvaine and the chamber were not involved, so we went to the Boulder City Museum as our sponsor. We have to have a 501[c][3] when you ask for grants. And so we got, you know,we just went from there, and I was project director for the next 10 years. Then...
And we pitched a tent in Bicentennial Park I remember right next to the gazebo. A great big white tent, great fun. Sitting outside in the elements. Sometimes it was too hot, sometimes it was rainy or windy, and we just went right through it and, had a good time with that. And then in 2002, we moved into the Boulder Theater.
Jill: I remember sitting in the gazebo with Sacagawea and a whole bunch of cute little kids. Yes. They loved her.
Ihla: Yes.
Jill: They thought she was fabulous, and it was. It was right outside and, you know,it was just a, an ideal location, and she did such a fabulous job. She was a beautiful lady.
Ihla: Yeah. We had a lot of really good, good, scholars who were doing the fun characters in those days especially, yes.
That's true. And in those first... Because we had that humanities grant, those first 10 years, And then we get, we kept getting grants, but then. And we couldn't charge. At first, we couldn't charge because, you know, It was the grant requirement they gave us that nice grant which took care of it,10, 30 years ago.
And, we needed, we had to do certain things like get the schools involved, get the, have, activities for children have panel discussions and so on.
There were a lot of things they wanted us to do, which we did at that time. I remember. As you say, we had that, in the gazebo, that children's program.
we don't do that so much anymore. We've, we don't get the Nevada Humanities grant anymore. And we've moved on to other ways, to do that. But yeah. So- And then after 2002, then until, until COVID
Jill: Right
Ihla: it was in the Boulder Theater.
Jill: Right.
Ihla: and it was Sarah Weber and her team of volunteers who took over it in 2003.
Jill: Yeah, I remember Miss Amy was involved in it for a little bit.
Ihla: Oh, absolutely. Yeah. She was also, yeah.
Jill: Yeah.
Ihla: yeah.
Jill: And so I'm glad that it had a home in the theater and,kind of became an icon of what we see happening at the theater, and more of that's happening now, so that's very exciting. Well,so let's go back to the fundraising aspect though, as you were talking about no longer having the humanities grant, but you do still receive a grant from Nevada Arts Council.
Ihla: Right.
Jill: Yes.
Ihla: this is the first year for that.
Jill: That is wonderful. I'm really excited
Ihla: Yeah
Jill: for that.
Ihla: Yeah. And, and then we have a grant from a private foundation also, this year. Yeah, losing that grant from the humanities committee, which kept getting smaller by the way because then we started, charging, admission and so on. but we'd still need help with that. That doesn't cover, the
Jill: Not nowadays
Ihla: the expenses, the admission. And so then when it... what was it? Last year, a couple years ago, the, National Endowment for the Arts I believe it was, it totally got cut, their funding, so the...
That's where the humanities, committee here in Nevada got their funds.
And so that got cut, and then we did a really major fundraising, campaign, and the community came to our aid.
Jill: Yes, they did.
Ihla: Yes. Let me tell you, it was really great, and so we were able to do that here. And then now we've, requested the grant from the Nevada Arts Council.
And luckily we got that one, so that, that was
Jill: That is awesome. Thank you.
Jill: And so then you had told me before that you really don't do sponsorships, but you do have many individuals that contribute and they donate. And then also this year you have another very special thing that, has become a, a real interesting piece for you to be able to use as a fundraiser. Can you share a little bit more about that?
Ihla: Sure. We have a silent auction going on for a wonderful quilt made by, Kim Madrazo. And,she designed it, and, Jessica Whitaker of, the Silver State Stitch Shop, she did the quilting for us. And they used, they used, some of our old, the T-shirts from the
Jill: Yes
Ihla: last four years and made it very colorful and fun. it's a, a really nice quilt. It's big. What is it? Five by, five foot by five foot
Jill: Yeah
Ihla: or six foot by six foot. Anyway, it's very, it's large. but we're doing a silent auction on that, and It's beautiful bid for that. It can be seen if, people wanna go take a look at it at, Jessica's shop, which is the Silver State Stitch Shop, 1229 Arizona, Street, right here in Boulder City.
So if you wanna go in and take a look. It's in a window, but it's kind of in one that's kinda tinted.
So you can walk around and you can see it, but it's best, I think, to go on in and take a look at it.
Jill: I agree.
Ihla: But it was a lot of work by these two ladies, and I think it's gonna be a wonderful keepsake for someone.
Jill: You know, I think that, It's so colorful. It catches your attention. It catches your eye. And I do believe that somebody who is, really treasures Chautauqua will treasure that quilt. it's beautiful. Yeah. Yeah, Kim did a fabulous
Ihla: Thank you
Jill: job on that.
Ihla: Yeah.
Jill: let's talk about how you choose themes.
So you had said that you already knew you were gonna be doing America 250 or a theme around that a couple years ago. So are you a couple years out on themes and how to choose themes?
Ihla: We do. we try, at least two years, because the scholars they get booked up.
Jill: Oh,
Ihla: And, they do this
I'm sure they probably teach, or they're professors somewhere, but they, on the weekends, they do these, portrayals. And so they do get booked up, especially, you know, the popular ones. Yeah, a couple years out, and we're always interested. We want it... By the way, the characters have to be dead.
That's awesome.
Jill: That's kinda scary, but okay.
Ihla: Yeah, yeah. The, the characters we choose have to, have, have, are gone. So, you know, we just, this one we knew several years in advance because of the 250th anniversary. But we've, in 2001 when we moved into the, to the, Boulder Creek Pavilion, because, COVID, you know, Desi-
with the Boulder Theater, he didn't, feel comfortable having having events there anymore for a while.
So we just came up with ideas. the first one I wanted to do when I came back, because Sarah Weber and her team, were 20 years they,
Jill: Wow
Ihla: on this, and they sort of, indelicately say they aged out and burnt out.
And they were ready to move on and didn't wanna do it anymore, so I was asked to come back. So I came back then in, in 20, in, 2021. and, so, you know, we started... I said I wanna start off with something, that I think people really enjoyed in the first years.
Jill: Right.
Ihla: So we did a comedy one, right?
So I mean, that's kinda how I figured. So we did, you know, people that I thought people the, public would like. Mark Twain, Will Rogers, Erma Bombeck, and,
Jill: Yes, those were fun
Ihla: and Julia Child, and that's the one
Jill: Yes
Ihla: that you were talking about.
Jill: Yes. Erma Bombeck was hysterical.
Ihla: Yeah. The, so that was a fun to just get, break the ice and get back into it.
And then
Jill: Yeah
Ihla: then, then we just go on to think of thing, just the team just brainstorms. Basically brainstorms. And so then we went to aviation legends, with Chuck Yeager and Amelia Earhart. then we had a really fun one with legends of note with Woody Guthrie and John Lannan.
Jill: Yes, the music. Yes.
Ihla: And Mama Cass, so that was fun. So we just try to find something that's, that would be enjoyable and fun, fun for people. We did the first ladies the next year.
Jill: Yes.
Ihla: We did the first ladies. And so then you think, "Okay, who are people gonna wanna want to see?"
Jill: Yeah.
Ihla: and also, so once we get the characters we want and figure out a theme around it, then we go, just go out searching for them.
Jill: And hunt for people
Ihla: that fit that theme.
Ihla: That's right. And so,it is, you know, we've got a team of, there's just five of us now working. We'd love to have anybody who wants to get involved. we have the volunteer, opportunities during the event, and also if you or anyone is interested in becoming more involved, we would love to have more committee members because the more people you have, the more ideas you have, the more brainstorming fun you have.
Jill: Right.
Jill: And also there's tasks that need to be done. and yeah.
Jill: I can't believe you guys do it with only five of you.
Ihla: Yeah. It's
Jill: That's impressive.
Ihla: Yeah. So it's, Yeah, there, we could use more
Jill: Well, that's great
Ihla: Anyone who wants to, come on
Jill: Yeah. We'll make sure that. Just get in touch with me they have your information in the show notes, because I can imagine that there's probably quite a few people who just enjoy the history and enjoy the arts and the skill set that is, included with, and the educational component.
It's family-friendly.
Ihla: Yes.
Jill: And so there's just so many, advantages.
I can imagine there's quite a few people who, just didn't know how to get involved.
Ihla: Yeah, and I would love to have as many as possible really.
Jill: Well, that is awesome.
Ihla: The more, the better.
Jill: What a great thing for us to include, is to make sure people realize that, yes, donations are always welcome but also volunteer service.
Ihla: Sure.
Jill: Which is amazing. You know, and talking about service, which popped back in my head, as you were describing the gentleman that's gonna be, part of the, Hamilton presentation his service to the country and what an amazing individual to
Ihla: Yeah
Jill: to portray somebody from history, but also to have served his country so dynamically.
I mean, that's pretty amazing and, we'll have to make sure we tell him thank you.
Ihla: And I'm not sure, if he does other characters. He may just totally be involved. And, I know that, we have really quality, quality
Jill: Yeah
Ihla: scholars this year, for sure.
Jill: Yeah. Maybe a military theme.
We've got some amazing military leaders in our history.
That might be of interest to understand a little bit more about each of maybe a different war that they represented. I don't know.
Ihla: There you go. See you're brainstorming. Yeah. That's, I love it.
Jill: That's what we need. Something fun like that. That's not fun. That's history that we need to learn.
Ihla: That's right. We need to learn from history so we don't repeat the past and
Jill: Yeah what a great way to learn true history and have it set in your mind. That was one of my favorite parts about Amelia Earhart. I learned facts about her that I thought I had studied her in high school 'cause I had to do a big report on her. And I thought for sure I knew everything, but man, as she was communicating some of her information and the questions that are coming from the audience, ooh, that's
Ihla: Oh, yeah something to talk about.
Ihla: That's right.
Jill: Yeah. That's right. Let's bring that up. So the audience gets to ask some really amazing questions of the individuals and it really, it is blows my mind that it never trips them up.
Ihla: Well, very seldom.
Jill: Yeah.
Ihla: Yes. And so the format, the Chautauqua format is basically an hour long, 20, 20, 20. 20 minutes of the character talking about an aspect of their life and, going into that. And then for 20 minutes, the audience asks questions of the scholar. of the character.
In character, and it has to be in character. It's kind of fun when somebody says, "Well," you know, they might say, "What did you think of the telephone?" that's silly example.
Jill: Yeah.
Ihla: But something like that where it was never invented, and so they have to somehow have to, deal with that. But, and then for the final 20 minutes, they take off a, their, part of their costume so that now they are the scholar, and then you ask questions, or the audience asks questions of the scholar.
Now, I say 20, 20, 20. That's just a, that, they usually have more of the first section. And then that, the question and answers, can be as long as there's still questions going on. Got it. And so sometimes that's 10 minutes, sometimes that's a little more, for each one.
And then they, we kind of wrap it up in about, in a little... If it goes much over an hour, we don't, we say, "Okay, this is gonna be the last question" Last question or whatever. But people often come up after and are, they're talking to the scholars just asking so Oh, yeah
many questions. and that's the thing. That's why we say scholars as opposed to actors.
Jill: Right.
Ihla: Because they are, it's more extemporaneous. I'm sure they have a prepared, prepared speech, so to speak.
Jill: Yes. Yes, yes.
Ihla: Whether it's like a memorized speech or whether they just kinda, kinda go impromptu, but they know their subject so well for their, that first portion.
And, you know, it's interesting because people do. the audience does interact, quite animatedly with them sometimes. And it's fun to watch, yeah.
Jill: I agree.
Ihla: and people love it that come. It's... We have, a, a dedicated audience. and some of the original people have aged out or- passed away, 30 years after after all. And, it's fun to see the new people come. And quite often, once you come once, you're hooked.
Jill: Right.
Ihla: You wanna come again.
Jill: Yeah. I can't remember who the, the character, the individual was, that. But there was a young man in the audience, and he, like, I would say junior high age.
And he asked such a brilliant question. I don't know if a parent slipped him that question or what. But he asked such a brilliant question, and it was intriguing for me to realize how much education really is taking place
Ihla: Yes
Jill: as that young man was asking this question of,a character, in history that he's probably studied in a book, and now he had the opportunity to really interact.
Ihla: Yeah.
Jill: So I can really see why youth education is a huge component to Chautauqua.
Ihla: And we'd like for it to be even more I would love to... You know, our demographic is, a little bit older, but, we'd love to get the high school involved.
We've tried, and we'd like to get them more involved. And would... We love it when there's young people in the audience because
Jill: Yeah
Ihla: they do the... and maybe they have studied a certain, personality or or character in, in school, and if they really get hooked on that, they ask wonderful questions.
Yeah.
Jill: It would be brilliant to have one of the educators at the high school that knows, what the curriculum's gonna be for the the next year that could be part of your committee, and that you can maybe match one of those characters that the students will be studying so then they can attend and have that interaction with, a live version of the character.
Ihla: that's excellent. And also the, the, acting, you know, the act- theater Theater group, group. The, history classes. one time when we had,back in 2021, I guess, when we had Will Rogers,
Jill: Yes
Ihla: trying to think of his name, the scholar's name. I'm so sorry. But, he went to the, acting class, the theater class
Jill: Oh, wow
Ihla: and talked about improvisation.
Jill: Oh, how neat.
Ihla: And so that, that was really cool. If we need to get, hopefully more involved with the school. We have a little barrier for some reason, and they they don't,
Jill: Their curric they have so much that these teachers have to teach in the I know
limited time that they have.
Ihla: Yeah.
Jill: But it really would be, a nifty project to be able to see something like that happen. So maybe it's the theater club, the after hours, after school project something or something along that line. but what a, what an amazing way to be able to, learn and not be just sitting there reading it from a book. I would imagine
Ihla: Yeah
Jill: any of those that are visual
Ihla: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah
Jill: would really be impacted by that.
Ihla: Yes. Would, we would love to have more involvement with the schools. And if there's anyone out there listening that has contact with the schools or is involved, or in the school system
Jill: Right
Ihla: that would like to, contact me, I would love to
Jill: Oh,
Ihla: yeah love to have that happen.
Jill: have you guys done anything with Shakespeare?
Ihla: No.
Jill: Because American Lit... I remember in English Lit we studied Shakespeare, and so maybe even in the English classes and, something
Ihla: Yeah
Jill: along that. we've done the Shakespeare in the Park with the, Yes
Main Street Boulder City. Oh my gosh. And the young people that are there and that are laughing and it kind of helps me realize that language is not that hard to pick up on. Even the kids are catching on. Now granted they're not getting all the innuendo and that kind of fun stuff,
but this, you know, this might
Ihla: Yeah
Jill: be a great way for people to learn from history.
Ihla: Yes. Yeah.
Jill: Yeah. I love it. Well, Ihla, um, is there anything else you'd like to share? Because this has been super informative. I am glad to learn to call them scholars and not actors. I would never want to insult anybody, and I really want to make sure that we, we represent them for all the education and all the information that they've had to retain in order to be a good character of history.
Ihla: Sure. There's more to it than just,memorizing a speech. Of course, we want to let people know that it is, Friday and Saturday night, in October 23rd and 24th. And it's at the, Boulder Creek Pavilion.
Jill: We love that. I think it's a beautiful location.
Ihla: Yeah. Friday night is, is, our character, Paul Revere, and that's at 6:30.
Jill: Okay.
Ihla: And at 2:00 matinee is Martha Washington.
Jill: Oh, that one's perfect.
Ihla: on Saturday. And then that night will be, will be our Alexander Hamilton. And this year we have, like, a bundle, for And pricing. if you wanna go to a, the Friday night, performance, and the Saturday matinee, instead of $20 per performance, you can get that bundle for $35.
Jill: Oh, perfect.
Ihla: You save a little.
Jill: Yeah.
Ihla: If you want to bundle Martha Washington and, SaturdayAlexander Hamilton on Saturday, also that's a bundle for $35. We're trying to get more people at the matinee.
Jill: Oh, okay.
…a: You know, we put... Sometimes we put our best, best person there. Well,they're all good, but...
And you never know if you haven't been there yet which one's gonna be the best. But we try and put a really one of our really good, good Strong characters a strong character on that matinee, and, that is our least, attended. And so we thought, "Let's do this bundle and maybe that will kinda help get the attendance up."
Jill: And do you have one
Ihla: And because Martha Washington, she's I mean, that, she's gonna be... Catherine Pittman is really gonna be
Jill: Oh, yeah
Ihla: super, super great.
She's the one that I'm interested in. And so then do you have one for all three? Is there a bundle for all three tickets?
Ihla: No.
Jill: Not yet.
Ihla: No, but you bundle the two and then just
Jill: Yeah
Ihla: pay the regular price, you still, you know.
Jill: You're still getting a deal.
Absolutely. I love it. Now, if I remember you guys used to do a dinner in combination with it, and so we ate
Ihla: Oh, yeah. That's one of our fundraising
Jill: Yes
Ihla: things, is the reception. We have a meet and greet reception on Thursday night, before the...
And we ask the scholars to arrive on Thursday so they can be at this reception. And it's at a beautiful house here in, in Boulder City. It's, that's $35, and you get a dinner. And we try and make it with a theme, so this time it's gonna be like a Yankee pot roast.
Jill: Oh, cool.
Ihla: And mashed potatoes and a vegetable, and then, and you get the dinner and drinks, wine, and, and to meet and mingle with these
Jill: Right
Ihla: scholars. They don't come in character. they're their actual, just themselves.
And it's a lot of fun. So yeah, that too is, Another fundraising opportunity
another fundraising opportunity. And, and all of these, you can purchase on TicketBud, which is, And you go to do that. oh, first of all, there's tickets available in town at, at the chamber here, and, Ace Hardware Oh, the hotel. At the hotel.
Jill: Okay.
Ihla: So those are the three locations people can go to and buy the tickets in person.
Bundles are available there. We've made that avaIhlable. the reception,not, we don't have the tickets for the reception there, but to get those, you can just call, you know,call our number And I did not write it down, and I don't have it memorized.
Jill: Well, that's
Ihla: okay. But if you go to bchautauqua.org.
Jill: Okay.
Ihla: Chautauqua is C-H-A-U-T-A-U-Q-U-A. So it's bchautauqua.org. There's a link to the, to Ticketbud, so you can buy your tickets online.
Jill: Perfect.
Ihla: And the phone number is there for you to call.
Jill: In case you have any questions.
Ihla: So sorry I don't have that on my, on the notes here.
Jill: That's okay. We don't... We'll have it in the show notes as well.
Ihla: Oh, good. Okay.
Jill: So that's good. Okay. And I think that there's a lot of opportunity here.
Ihla: Yes.
Jill: Right? So they have the opportunity for the reception.
They can be an individual donor. They can buy tickets in bundles or individuals. They can also volunteer to be part of the event that day, or volunteer to be part of the committee.
Ihla: Yes. Absolutely.
Jill: So there's so many ways to be a part whether you're attending or you want to help contribute to making sure that we continue with Chautauqua from years and years on.
Ihla: Yes.
Jill: Thank you so much for getting this started. You really are one of the founders.
Ihla: Yes.
Jill: And so we are grateful in the 250-year celebration
Ihla: Yes
Jill: of the founding of our country
Ihla: Yeah
Jill: that we get to visit with one of the founders of Chautauqua.
So thank you so much, Isla. It's been wonderful visiting with you.
Ihla: Oh, thank you so much for this opportunity.
