May 21, 2026: San Diego:
On the momentous occasion of the Semiquincentennial (250 Years) of our country, Write Out Loud is thrilled to join the celebration, bringing three programs to the San Diego region that highlight the history of our nation and the importance of American values: freedom, equality, individualism, humanity and community.
Artistic Director, Veronica Murphy, shared “We are honored to have this opportunity to bring people’s voices to life from America’s past. Whether they be Founding Fathers, favorite authors, or ordinary citizens who’ve made extraordinary sacrifices to uphold our nation through 250 years, we are reminded that we all play a role in this ‘great experiment’ called democracy. Our nation deserves to be celebrated.“
We The People – Life and Liberty,
Reflections of America on her 250th Anniversary
June 8th at 7pm at the Dottie Studio Theatre in Liberty Station.
2880 Roosevelt Rd. Building 178 San Diego, CA 92106
This is the Final Story Concert of Our 19th Season! Join us for an inspiring evening of stories, letters, poetry and music that illuminate both the familiar and the unknown heroes of the United States of America, illustrating the struggles, advantages and important events surrounding our country’s fight for liberty.
A reading of SDSU military members’ letters home during WWII
June 14th at 2pm (Flag Day) at Scripps Ranch Theatre on the campus of Alliant International University. 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego, CA 92131
An afternoon of remembrance, featuring letters home, from SDSU student military members’ written during WWII. These deeply personal letters, rich with hope, humor and resilience, will be brought to life on stage by Write Out Loud and co-produced with Scripps Ranch Theatre. Developed in partnership with San Diego State University, Dear Doc was written by Jonnie Wilson as a tribute to the authors of the 5,000 WWII letters housed in SDSU Library’s Special Collections and University Archives. Inspired by Lisa Shapiro’s acclaimed No Forgotten Fronts: From Classrooms to Combat, the program honors the legacy of Dr. Lauren C. Post, a World War I veteran and SDSU geography professor, who received the letters from several thousand former San Diego students who had gone off to war, and then published them in a monthly Aztec News Letter that connected the students to each other and to the campus.
American Literary Heroes
Part of the Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes
Presented now through September 30, 2026
Funded by the NEA, American Literary Heroes is 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. As one of only 50 organizations in the nation to be awarded a National Endowment for the Arts – Celebrating America 250 grant, Write Out Loud is currently bringing Emily Dickinson, Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain and Walt Whitman to life in libraries, classrooms, senior residences and other community venues. Each presentation reminds us of the importance of our humanity, our personal responsibility and respect for our world and each other. Performances will be presented through September 2026.
American Literary Heroes Performances Feature:
Emily Dickinson
A Still Volcanic Life
Written and Performed by Rhianna Basore
Emily Dickinson’s innovative use of form and syntax made her a pioneer in modernist literature.
Henry David Thoreau
Ripples from Walden Pond
Written by Richard Platt
Performed by Steve Smith
Henry David Thoreau was a philosopher and political ally for human rights and respect for nature and the environment.
Mark Twain
Of Sound Heart and Deformed Conscience
Written by Rachael VanWormer
Performed by Paul Maley
Mark Twain was a prolific writer and humorist, who has been called “the father of American literature.
Walt Whitman
Direct from the Afterlife
Written and Performed by Todd Blakesley
Walt Whitman’s focus on the common man and his break from poetic structures caused him to be known as “the father of free verse.”
American Literary Heroes is also sponsored by Fiesta de Reyes. Emily Dickinson is co-produced by Miz. Understood Media. For booking and performance information for American Literary Heroes visit https://writeoutloudsd.com/american-literary-heroes/
Write Out Loud serves over 30,000 people annually with their core programs: In their six show season of Story Concerts, Poefest – a celebration of Edgar Allan Poe and writers of the macabre, Kamishibai StoryBox – for toddlers and elementary students; Poetry Out Loud for high school students; Read Imagine Create for teens; Let Your Voice Be Heard – Student Poetry Initiative; and Stories for Seniors.
Susan
Susan Clausen
CLAUSEN COMMUNICATIONS
Public Relations
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