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Former president John F. Kennedy will be brought back to life by scholar-actor Jeremy Meier at the Firehouse Arts Center in June as part of the 2026 Ed Kinney Speaker Series. (Image courtesy of the Museum on Main) 
On Aug. 6, rock icon Tina Turner will be portrayed by actor Rebecca Jimerson. (Image courtesy of the Museum on Main) 
Chautauqua actor James Armistead will be bringing to life the story of his ancestor who was a spy during the Revolutionary War. This performance will take place on March 26. (Image courtesy of the Museum on Main) 
Madelyn Porter will be bringing to life the spirit of Sojourner Truth, a prominent figure in 19th century African American and women’s rights activism. (Image courtesy of the Museum on Main) 
Grace O’Malley, described in Irish folklore as a pirate queen during the 16th century, will be portrayed by scholar-actor Karen Vuranch on April 30 at the Firehouse. (Image courtesy of the Museum on Main) 
Audrey Hepburn, one of Hollywood’s most known female actors of all time, will be portrayed by Leslie Goddard in person at the Firehouse on Oct. 1. (Image courtesy of the Museum on Main) 
Doug Mishler will be bringing to life Phineas Taylor Barnum, a former politian turned showman who helped establish the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, to close out the speaker series in November. A virtual viewing of the performance will also be available in December. (Image courtesy of the Museum on Main)
More than half a dozen performers will be bringing historically prominent figures such as activist Sojourner Truth, former president John F. Kennedy and rock icon Tina Turner back to life as part of the Museum on Main’s 2026 Ed Kinney Speaker Series.
“We are thrilled to announce the 2026 line-up and have chosen dynamic performers who will portray a range of fascinating and pivotal historic figures,” Tony Cruz, executive director of the Pleasanton museum, said in a recent press release.
These performances involve scholar-actors dressing up to fully embody those historical figures in the Chautauqua style as they present a scripted biography of their persona and answer audience questions both in character and out of character at the end of the show.
“This community continues to embrace the performance style known as Chautauqua,” Cruz said. “Chautauqua performances are a unique way for people, young and old alike, to engage with history. The performance style links acting and scholarship together to bring historical characters to life on stage.”
The museum is entering its 17th year hosting the program — also known by its event name “An Afternoon or Evening with …” — that Cruz said has been so popular that over 3,000 people attended last year’s speaker series. The performances will begin next month and run once a month, except July, for the rest of the year.
Every performance, which offers a 2 p.m. and a 7 p.m. showing, will take place at the Firehouse Arts Center and there will also be a virtual viewing option, which begins in March.
The series will kick off on Feb. 26 with Madelyn Porter portraying Sojourner Truth, an African American and women’s rights activist and abolitionist.
“In this compelling portrayal, witness the journey of the woman born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree, who escaped bondage,” the museum stated in its press release. “She transformed herself into an itinerant preacher and outspoken champion of abolition and women’s rights.”
Then, on March 26, Chautauqua actor James Armistead will be bringing to life the story of his ancestor who was a spy during the Revolutionary War.
Cruz said he is personally excited to see Armistead — who has frequently taken part in the speaker series over the years — perform as his own ancestor who successfully infiltrated British camps posing as a runaway.
“The story correlates perfectly with the 250th anniversary of America,” Cruz said.
The following month, on April 30, members of the public will be introduced to Grace O’Malley, a pirate queen who “sailed the high seas in the 16th century”. Portrayed by Karen Vuranch, people will be able to learn more about the Irish legends of O’Malley who fought against British conquest as she “commanded an army of men and remained a leading political figure in a time when few women held any personal power”.
Next on the list of speakers is Kim Harris who will be portraying Lizzie Borden, a 19th century woman who was accused — and widely believed to have been guilty — of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe. She was eventually acquitted but public opinion maintained that she was guilty.
Harris’ portrayal of Borden will take place on May 7.
On June 4, famous former president John F. Kennedy will be brought back to life by Jeremy Meier who will talk about Kennedy’s final and defining year of his presidency, which entailed the shadow of nuclear war, the moon landing and the fight for civil rights.
The following month, on Aug. 6, rock icon Tina Turner will step onto the stage once again as Rebecca Jimerson will portray the iconic musician who was dubbed the queen of rock & roll after she “rose from modest beginnings and endured years of hardship, heartbreak, and challenge”.
“Her transformation from the Ike & Tina Turner Revue to global superstardom as a solo artist reflects resilience, reinvention, and the triumph of spirit; an inspiring story of survival and strength that continues to captivate audiences worldwide,” according to the museum.
Next up is actor Laura Keyes who, on Sept. 17, will be portraying Elizabeth Packard, an early women’s rights and mental health reform activist who was committed to the Illinois State Hospital, the state mental asylum in 1860, for three years even though she continuously protested her sanity.
During the first day of October, members of the public will be introduced to Audrey Hepburn, one of Hollywood’s most known female actors of all time. Portrayed by Leslie Goddard, audiences will learn more about her time as a child during World War II, her success as an actor and her “lifelong efforts to find real love and overcome her own deep-seated fears”.
The final performance at the Firehouse will be Nov. 19 where Doug Mishler will be bringing to life Phineas Taylor Barnum — also known as P.T. Barnum. Mishler will explore Barnum’s life as a former state legislator and mayor who turned showman and helped establish the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
“Mishler’s performances are known for their ‘big, manic energy’ and direct interaction with the audience, bringing history to life,” the museum stated in its press release.
Tickets are now available for museum members, and they will go on sale to the general public starting next Tuesday (Jan. 27).
For more information, including ticket prices, visit the museum website at www.museumonmain.org.
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