Write Out Loud Presents
American Literary Heroes
Part of the Celebrating America250
Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes
funded by the NEA.
Part of the Celebrating America250 Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes funded by the NEA.
American Literary Heroes, presented from mid-March through September 2026, is a unique program highlighting four iconic American writers who have left a lasting impact on the social consciousness of the United States, and across the globe.
Actors will bring Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and Henry David Thoreau to life in libraries, schools, museums and other community venues across San Diego County, using selections of their works and bits of their lives.
American Literary Heroes
FEATURES
Emily
Dickinson
Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, whose innovative use of form and syntax made her a pioneer in modernist literature.
Written and Performed by
Rhianna Basore
Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau, a philosopher and political ally for human rights and respect for nature and the environment.
Written by
RICHARD PLATT
Performed by
Steve Smith
Mark
Twain
Mark Twain
Written by
Rachael VanWormer
Performed by
Paul Maley
Walt
Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, whose focus on the common man and his break from poetic structures caused him to be known as
“the father of free verse.”
Written and Performed by
Todd Blakesley
About the Performers
RHIANNA BASORE
( Emily Dickinson )
Rhianna Basore is an international actor, award-winning director, and published writer who made her feature filmmaking debut in Reykjavik with Crapshoot! She’s appeared Off-Broadway and abroad, co-created the web series In The Zoom Room, and founded Self Trust Fund and Miz. Understood Media. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, LA Times, and New York Times, exploring the surreal intersections of identity, desire, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are meant to be.
STEVE SMITH
( Henry David Thoreau )
Steve Smith is an actor, director, and teaching artist specializing in Shakespeare, stage combat, and developing new plays. Most recently, he’s been recognized with a Best Actor award for his work in Perseids at the Hollywood Short + Sweet Festival. Elsewhere around San Diego, he most frequently works as a director and actor/mentor at the Theatre School at North Coast Rep, has served as Shakespeare Consultant and New Works Festival Producer for New Village Arts, an instructor for Playwrights Project, and more.
PAUL MALEY
( Mark Twain )
Paul Maley graduated from UCLA’s Theatre program in 1984. He and his wife Sharon moved to San Diego in 1990 to work at Lamb’s Players Theatre, where Paul spent 20 years on staff as a performer/educator. LPT credits include The Boys Next Door, See How They Run, Metamorphoses, and over 2,000 educational outreach performances. He has also performed with SeaWorld, the San Diego Symphony, Oceanside Theatre Co., Scripps Ranch Theatre, The Salvation Army, and his family’s own company StageWorks!
TODD BLAKESLEY
( Walt Whitman )
A native San Diegan, Todd has worked as a theater artist and administrator for more than 60 years. Founded Theatre: Research & Development, Inc. (1971) developing the Dream Immersion Theater experience; Artistic Director of the Crystal Palace Theatre (‘71-’76) dedicated to developing new works. Co-founded Women’s Repertory Theatre (2001). San Diego Critics Circle nominee: Best New Play (“Cigars & Stripes” 1984); Outstanding Featured Actor (“Eurydice” – Moxie Theatre – 2010); Outstanding Solo performance (“TRU” – Diversionary Theatre 2014). His solo play “CRAPSHOOT” was transformed into a film (directed by Rhianna Basore) and opened the 2020 Reykjavik Fringe Festival. – More? www.toddblakesley.com
Public Performance Schedule
FREE and open to the public.
Performances are 45-50 minutes long.
