American Literary Heroes
Write Out Loud, an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience announces American Literary Heroes,part of the Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.
American Literary Heroesis a unique program highlighting four iconic American writers who have left a lasting impact on the social consciousness of the United States, as well as across the globe. Actors will bring Emily Dickinson, Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain and Walt Whitman to life in libraries, schools, museums and other community venues across San Diego County, using selections of their works and bits of their lives.Performances will be presented from mid-March through September 2026, kicked off by a launch party from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sunday, March 15 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town San Diego, located at 2660 Calhoun Street, San Diego, CA 92110.
Write Out Loud Artistic Director, Veronica Murphy shared “Write Out Loud is thrilled to be one of only 50 recipients across the country to receive NEA funding for “Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes.” Literature is at the heart of all we do, and Dickinson, Thoreau, Twain and Whitman have left an indelible mark on the American literary canon. We are excited to share the work of these literary giants across the San Diego community.”
American Literary Heroes performances feature: Emily Dickinson, written and performed by Rhianna Basore; Henry David Thoreau, written by Richard Platt and performed by Steve Smith;
Mark Twain, written by Rachael VanWormer and performed by Paul Maley; and Walt Whitman
written and performed by Todd Blakesley
American Literary Heroes is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and sponsored by Fiesta de Reyes. Emily Dickinson is co-produced by Miz. Understood Media.
American Literary Heroeswill perform inschools, libraries, museums, and community centers throughout San Diego County from March to September 2026. Booking and touring information can be found at https://writeoutloudsd.com/american-literary-heroes/
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