Living History
Welcome to my...
Journey through time with me.
As I bring to life, people from other eras, immersive environments, and celebrate our rich cultural history.
Welcome to my Living History and Environmental Theatre Page
How it all began...
In 1973, I visited my first Renaissance Faire in Agoura, where the Renaissance Pleasure Faire was creating a sixteenth-century English marketplace visited by Queen Elizabeth I and her entourage. It was an epiphany for me, and the following year I returned as a working participant, earning my way as a 'chair bearer' for Her Majesty's entourage. Over the years, I have performed as Christopher Marlowe, an English Country Dancer, a Groom in Lord Burleigh's household, multiple commedia dell'arte characters, and a host of roles on the faire's stages.
In the early 2000s, I played the mascot 'Touchstone' the fool for the Heart of the Forest Fairs in Santa Barbara and Novato, California. In the early 1980s, I began playing characters from history, such as Emperor Norton, at special events.
In 2008, I began playing Samuel Clemens/Mark Twain in the PBS movie ‘Dreamland: Mark Twain in Jerusalem’. I’ve portrayed Twain for various living history events and even lectured on my journey to become Mark Twain for the Center for Mark Twain Studies in Elmira, NY.
Since 1974, I have created original characters and characters from history. I have developed, cast, directed, written, produced, and acted in dozens of living history shows. These include the Sacramento History Museum’s five-year run of Time Travel Weekends, Gold Rush Days, the Waterfront Festival, the Ghosts of Olompali, numerous Renaissance Faires, the Charles Dickens Christmas Fair, events for the state office of cultural affairs at the California Governor’s Mansion, and many others.
In 2023, I was certified as a docent for Columbia State Historic Park, where I trained 60 volunteer participants for the State Park’s annual ‘Diggins’ spring event.
Past Living History Events
On July 9 we shall return to the Barbary Coast, where you will meet professional living historians including Mark Twain as performed by Hollywood Actor Jeffrey Weissman, and Dr. Cornelius Poindexter the Medicine Man. Performing will be the Sea Dogs singing group, Can-Can Bijou Dancing Troupe, Ballet Russe Comedy-Song Dance Troupe; along with street urchins, thugs, a concertina player, and of course our Count, and his family. Guests are invited to dress in period attire and join in the fun! Taste through a selection of our current release wines, tour our Historic winery buildings, and enjoy delicious food options.
Get ready to step into the year 1585 when Queen Elizabeth I was England’s magnificent monarch. This is the age of legendary characters like William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake and a host of famous Dukes, Earls, Lords and Ladies, and you’ll see them all here in all their finery. Remember to remove your hat as Her Majesty parades the streets with her stunning Royal Court. It’s all happening at the Central Coast Renaissance Festival.
Be sure to book your adventure in advance - the location and time are secret!
"The Speakeasy is a choose-your-own-adventure collection of character studies of the folks who populate a San Francisco speakeasy in the 1920s. There are the mob bosses and the showgirls, the fallen heroes and the families they (tried to) leave behind. The dramatic tension here is romantic and political, it comes out through dialogue, song, and dance, and it's performed in the chair next to you one moment and behind glass the next. "
- Jennifer Maerz, The Bold Italic
Relive the magical journey of THE POLAR EXPRESS on an hour-long train ride to the North Pole.
Enjoy hot-hot-hot chocolate and yummy cookies as you ride along with many of the story's characters; such as the Train Conductor, the Dancing Waiters, and a ghostly Hobo.
Once you reach the North Pole, the jolly old elf -- Santa himself -- will come on board to give each passenger a silver sleighbell, the "first gift of Christmas".
See the Polar Express website for days and hours.