Columbia College will present a dynamic one man performance based on the writings of Abraham Lincoln at 7:30 p.m. on November 6 in Cottingham Theatre.  The presentation, adapted and performed by veteran actor Peter Holland, has been acclaimed by the American Institute of History Education and enjoyed by audiences from fourth graders to older adults.
 
In “Mr. Lincoln’s Office,” the audience are visitors to Lincoln’s office in the White House sometime in November 1863.  Aided by realistic make-up designed by Michael Meyer, Holland as Lincoln takes the audience back in his memory to his early boyhood in Kentucky and Indiana.  Mr. Lincoln recalls his early political career, his fight against slavery, his election as President, the fiery trial of Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the creation of the Gettysburg Address.  Throughout the 50 minute presentation Lincoln relates many of his jokes and stories as a relief from the tragedy of war.  After the presentation, the President will be available for any questions from the audience.
 
With the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln upcoming in 2009, after an historic election, the story of Abraham Lincoln is more timely than ever.  Call the box office at 803.786.3850 for tickets, which are $5 for this entertaining and historically significant production.  The box office will open on November 5. 
 
About Peter Holland
Peter Holland is a veteran actor, writer, and director with over thirty years professional experience in the theatre.  A native of Columbia, S.C., he is a graduate of Dreher High School and studied theatre at Columbia College.  He served his professional apprenticeship with acclaimed New York director Ella Gerber.  Some of Peter’s favorite roles from a long career in regional theatres, touring companies, and dinner theatres include Don Quixote, Cyrano de Bergerac, Sherlock Holmes, Thomas Jefferson, Felix Unger, Buffalo Bill, and most recently, Abraham Lincoln.
 
Peter has written more than two dozen educational plays for young people that have been produced all over the US and in Canada.  In 1998, Visa selected Peter to create the character Dr. Readwell in their Read Me A Story national children’s literacy campaign, which raised over one million dollars to benefit RIF (Reading Is Fundamental).
 
Since 2003, Peter and his family, Christina and Ben, have lived just off the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway in Meadows of Dan, Wa.  Peter directs his original plays for schools and theatres throughout the region. His theatre company, Once Upon a Blue Ridge, performs a series of classic plays for young people every summer.
 
For more information, contact:
Sara Nalley, 803.786.3682
Columbia College
Department of Communication and Theatre