The Story of Davy Crockett as Told by Himself
Arthur Hunt, Impersonator
Content Outline/Student Preparatory Materials
Performance Description
Arthur Hunt offers an authentic characterization of Tennessee’s most famous volunteer, Davy Crockett. The presentation is flexible for all ages and groups. From Crockett’s youth to his departure to Texas, Hunt captures Crockett’s dress, voice, and mannerisms. “The Story of Davy Crockett as Told by Himself” is perfect for schools, civic groups, churches, chapel programs, and community theatre. Explore the website to discover more.
“The Story of Davy Crockett as Told by Himself” is based in part on Crockett’s own autobiography written with Thomas Chilton in 1834. Published at the height of
Crockett’s political career, A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett captures the voice of the famous Tennessee frontiersman like no other historical document. Hunt’s presentation reflects the way Crockett actually spoke, with all his amusing backwoods stories and idioms.
Performer Bio
Arthur Hunt is a native of Clarksville, Tennessee, and is professor of communications at The University of Tennessee at Marin. As an educator, he has taught public speaking, monologue performance, and storytelling. As an amateur actor, he has experience in both educational and community theatre. As a Crockett enthusiast, he has done extensive research to offer an original and accurate depiction of his subject.
Performance Venues
Each venue lasts roughly one hour when adding host introduction and conclusion.
Elementary Venue (K-6)
The elementary venue is geared for lower school grades in a classroom setting. It consists of a 20-minute monologue, a 10-minute show-and-tell, followed by a 10-minute question and answer session.
Civic Venue (7-12)
The civic venue is geared for middle and upper school grades in a classroom setting, civic and community groups, and public library settings. It consists of a 40-minute monologue followed by a 10-minute question and answer session.
Crockett in the Classroom
If you are hosting Davy Crockett in your classroom, we would appreciate if you could keep the following in mind:
1) Prepare the students ahead of time for what they are about to see and hear. It is not necessary to be in the middle of a Tennessee history unit to have Mr. Crockett in your classroom, but it does help to familiarize your students with some basic knowledge of frontier life and the place of Crockett in our state’s history. See Crockett Timeline on this website for major points of Crockett’s life.
2) Mr. Crockett likes to tell stories and sometimes can be rather enthusiastic, so have a space prepared in your classroom for his elocutions. We recommend a space of about 10’ x 10’.
3) Have a brief introduction prepared; something like this: “Now students, sit real still because Tennessee’s most famous volunteer, Davy Crockett, is about to walk through that door. He will be telling us about his adventures in the frontier. Please do not touch or grab him while he is with us. After he finishes, he will show you some things, and then you may ask him some questions.”
4) For elementary students Crockett will speak for about 20 minutes. He will then have a 10-minute show-and-tell where he talks about his clothing and other artifacts. (Mr. Crockett will have no real weapons due to school policies.) Finally, he will allow students to ask questions.
5) During the classroom presentation students will only see and hear Mr. Crockett, and never Mr. Hunt. So, prepare students to only address Mr. Crockett. Should a student ask, “So, do you like playing Davy Crockett?” the reply will be, “Play him? Why, I am Davy Crockett.”
6) After the presentation, Mr. Crockett will not be able to join faculty or students for lunch or play with them during recess, as much as he would enjoy it. He will make his departure as smooth as a bobcat out the door.