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Hank
Fincken |
A National Theater Company of One |
About
the Artist |
A Spell-binding wordsmith, Hank Fincken has the distinction of
being named "Master Artist" by the Indiana Arts Commission, as
well as has been given the "Achievement and Service Award" by
the Indiana Theatre Association. Performer, published author,
and playwright, Mr. Ficken has written and produced 12 original
plays and published 25 stories. He has enchanted his audiences,
not only across the United States, but in South America as well. |
Impressed by his sincerity, dynamism, and intellect, his reviewers
have been universally impressed, pronouncing Hank Ficken as "Indiana's
top performer", "his presence is constantly interesting", "dynamic
and thoroughly entertaining -- theater at it's finest", "excellent...
strongly convincing", and "superb". In 1998, Mr. Fincken's first
book, "Three Midwest History Plays and Then Some" was published
by guild Press. |
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Not
"Johnny" If You Please
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J.
Goldsborough Bruff
The year is 1853 and the Argonaut, J. G. Bruff has been
asked to tell some potential adventurers about his 27 month
trip to and through the California gold fields. The audience
listens to a tale of courage, deception, beautiful landscapes,
and horrible weather. Are you prepared to make the journey?
Would your best or worst surface during the trying times?
Bruff’s discoveries end up having little to do with
the gold he so desperately chased. No, his insights are
into himself, his fellow travelers, and the native people
he encountered, proving, in part, the true wealth of this
country shines brighter than any metal. (Spring & Summer) |
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Fancisco
Pizarro, To Serve You
War brought out his best and worst. Peace did not become
him. Francisco Pizarro was born out of wedlock and denied
all gentlemanly advantages, yet he managed to gain the trust
of the Spanish king and destroy the Inca Empire. His bravery
and commitment are undeniable; his ruthlessness affects
a continent today. For four hundred years, his example was
celebrated in history books; today he ranks as one of the
world’s great villains. But then again, maybe we are
as simple-minded in our search of virtue as the Spaniards
were in their search for gold. This presentation will try
to put flesh and blood on a legend who is remembered mostly
for his shedding of flesh and blood. (Late Fall & Winter) |
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Almost,
Mr. Edison, Almost
In this one person presentation, the goal will not be fulfill
the audience’s expectations concerning the Edison
myth. Instead, the goal will be to recapture the complexity
of a man who in many ways reflects something of our national
character, both its positive and its negative. We forget
how he was controversial in his own time as many original
thinkers are in ours. If details are what bring History
back to life, then this presentation promises to light up
our past the same way Edison’s movies once inspired
despite their flaws. When Edison’s great grandson
saw this performance, he wrote: “This portrayal of
my great-grandfather would make him proud.” (Spring,
Summer & Winter) |
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Christopher
Columbus: The Shame in the Glory
Christopher Columbus’s reputation proceeds him. No
one has ever been more popular and/or more despised. In
1892, proponents demanded his sainthood. In 1992, a new
wave of enemies demanded that he be university condemned.
So who was this man who cried in front of the King and Queen
because of his shortcomings and wrote a book that claimed
he was second only to Jesus in carrying out God’s
commands. Does he deserve your thanks or your condemnation?
Decide for yourself today as we present Christopher Columbus:
the Shame in the Glory. (All Year) |
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Henry
Ford
Was he a
saint? Hardly. But he fought for peace while the nation prepared
for war, cherished the past while he built for the future, and
pioneered agricultural research that he hoped would someday make
America independent of foreign imports. Hank’s latest one-man
play invites the audience to rediscover the beginnings of these
glorious times when intelligent people asked each other: what
time is it when one Model T crosses in front of another? Answer:
Tin past tin.
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| "I think
your portrayal of my great grandfather, Thomas A. Edison, would make
him proud."
-- David Edward Edison Sloane, Professor, The University of New Haven |
"Your portrayal of Columbus was factual, enlightening and challenging."
-- Liz Sowell, Imagination and Celebration, Forth Worth, Texas |
"Many
of the dignitaries told me that your rendering of Edison was among
the most vivid and true-to-life historical recreations they had
ever seen." -- |
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