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Brian Kral brings a theater perspective to his Chautauqua portrayal of William Clark, the less well-known of the Lewis & Clark expedition.
"It's a lot of fun. I love to read, write and perform," he said.
Kral is part of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas adjunct faculty in the theater department, and has experience acting, directing and writing plays.
When Kral began researching Clark two years ago, he found there are almost too many resources about the two explorers.
"I tackled the unedited journals," Kral said. These were much more than the usual diary entries. Clark made two entries each day of the expedition. He noted the wildlife and plants of the region, and crafted some of western America's first maps.
"It's amazing that they're anywhere near accurate today," he said.
Meriwether Lewis was the better writer, and historians have been overwhelmed by the quality of his poetry, yet Clark brought a sense of practicality and discipline to the venture.
"He had a gift for dead reckoning, a knack for judging distances," Kral said.
Clark is viewed as not being especially emotional, at least compared with Lewis, he added. But Kral sensed undercurrents of feeling when he read Clark's journals, and he tries to incorporate that part of the man into his Chautauqua performances.
The two men had a friendship of mutual respect and commitment -- a strong working relationship, Kral said. "Their relationship was characterized by devotion, and beyond," he said.
Letters between them would often begin, "Dear brother," according to Kral. They also helped raise Sacagawea's son. They worked together to help Indian friends.
In spite of the large amount of research on the expedition and its two leaders, Kral said he found no comprehensive biography of Clark.
He takes his interpretation of Clark beyond Lewis' suicide -- a tragic moment for Clark. Yet life continued fruitfully for him after the expedition -- a period of his life not generally known about.
Kral also has portrayed Marshall Tito and he and his wife presented Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley last year at the Boulder City, Nev. Chautauqua.
His wife, a costume designer and teacher, had to be coaxed into performing, but they were happy they participated.
"It's a great learning experience, and the audience was supportive," he said.
Kral will be presenting William Clark Saturday evening, June 28, along with Amy Mossett's Sacagawea. Sunday, the audience at Sand Harbor will see Clay Jenkinson portray Meriwether Lewis and Neal Ferguson perform John Jacob Astor.
Sponsors for the third annual Chautauqua at Lake Tahoe are Coldwell Banker-Incline Village Realty and Lake Tahoe Printing. The event is part of Nevada Humanities Committee Chautauqua festivals, and the Lake Tahoe performances are organized by Lyn Karol.
The Lake Tahoe Chautauqua begins with music at 6 p.m. both evenings, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. Food and beverages will be available at Sand Harbor, or people can bring their own picnic dinners.
Early seating at 6 p.m. costs $35; general admission from 6:30 p.m. costs $25. Students ages 13 and older cost $10; seniors ages 65 and older cost $20; and children younger than 12 are admitted free of charge. Premier reserved seating, which includes dinner and a sand chair, costs $100.
Meet the scholars for brunch and conversation Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Patterson Hall, Sierra Nevada College. The event costs $20.
Call (800) GO-TAHOE for tickets, or visit www.tahoehistoryfestivals.com, or drop by the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Chamber of Commerce.
"It's a lot of fun. I love to read, write and perform," he said.
Kral is part of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas adjunct faculty in the theater department, and has experience acting, directing and writing plays.
When Kral began researching Clark two years ago, he found there are almost too many resources about the two explorers.
"I tackled the unedited journals," Kral said. These were much more than the usual diary entries. Clark made two entries each day of the expedition. He noted the wildlife and plants of the region, and crafted some of western America's first maps.
"It's amazing that they're anywhere near accurate today," he said.
Meriwether Lewis was the better writer, and historians have been overwhelmed by the quality of his poetry, yet Clark brought a sense of practicality and discipline to the venture.
"He had a gift for dead reckoning, a knack for judging distances," Kral said.
Clark is viewed as not being especially emotional, at least compared with Lewis, he added. But Kral sensed undercurrents of feeling when he read Clark's journals, and he tries to incorporate that part of the man into his Chautauqua performances.
The two men had a friendship of mutual respect and commitment -- a strong working relationship, Kral said. "Their relationship was characterized by devotion, and beyond," he said.
Letters between them would often begin, "Dear brother," according to Kral. They also helped raise Sacagawea's son. They worked together to help Indian friends.
In spite of the large amount of research on the expedition and its two leaders, Kral said he found no comprehensive biography of Clark.
He takes his interpretation of Clark beyond Lewis' suicide -- a tragic moment for Clark. Yet life continued fruitfully for him after the expedition -- a period of his life not generally known about.
Kral also has portrayed Marshall Tito and he and his wife presented Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley last year at the Boulder City, Nev. Chautauqua.
His wife, a costume designer and teacher, had to be coaxed into performing, but they were happy they participated.
"It's a great learning experience, and the audience was supportive," he said.
Kral will be presenting William Clark Saturday evening, June 28, along with Amy Mossett's Sacagawea. Sunday, the audience at Sand Harbor will see Clay Jenkinson portray Meriwether Lewis and Neal Ferguson perform John Jacob Astor.
Sponsors for the third annual Chautauqua at Lake Tahoe are Coldwell Banker-Incline Village Realty and Lake Tahoe Printing. The event is part of Nevada Humanities Committee Chautauqua festivals, and the Lake Tahoe performances are organized by Lyn Karol.
The Lake Tahoe Chautauqua begins with music at 6 p.m. both evenings, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. Food and beverages will be available at Sand Harbor, or people can bring their own picnic dinners.
Early seating at 6 p.m. costs $35; general admission from 6:30 p.m. costs $25. Students ages 13 and older cost $10; seniors ages 65 and older cost $20; and children younger than 12 are admitted free of charge. Premier reserved seating, which includes dinner and a sand chair, costs $100.
Meet the scholars for brunch and conversation Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Patterson Hall, Sierra Nevada College. The event costs $20.
Call (800) GO-TAHOE for tickets, or visit www.tahoehistoryfestivals.com, or drop by the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Chamber of Commerce.
