​Author of “In Cold Blood” to Speak at Chautauqua
 
Mount Vernon, Ohio - Truman Capote was an American writer, whose non-fiction, stories, novels and plays are recognized literary classics, including “Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and “In Cold Blood” (1965), which he labeled a "non-fiction novel." At least 20 films and TV dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays. Known for his flamboyant lifestyle, broken childhood and even rumored to have written “To Kill a Mockingbird” with dear friend Harper Lee, Truman Capote lived an amazing life and will discuss that life when he visits the Chautauqua Series this coming Thursday August 31.
 
The event is presented on a donation basis by Elixir Presents with support from the Ariel Foundation. The Chautauqua Series presents first person living history and has been acknowledged as the only continuous year round Chautauqua Series in the United States.
 
Truman Capote will be portrayed by Perry Brokaw, making his Chautauqua stage debut. Perry is no stranger to the acting stage with a long history and biography of performances in Knox County. Perry will bring Truman Capote to life and take questions from the audience immediately after his presentation. Opening the program will be the music of Lowell Borchers.
 
The event will take place at ThePlace@TheWoodward, a first floor theater, located at 101 S. Main Street in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio. Doors open at 6 PM, Lowell Borchers will play from 7-7:30 with Truman Capote appearing at 7:45 PM. For more information on this and other upcoming programs in the series, call 740-392-3018 or visit www.elixirpresents.com or www.VisitKnoxOhio.org. To receive a gentle reminder email on the Sunday before each program, contact Mike Petee at elixir_petee@hotmail.com.

Ella Ackert is entering the 8th Grade at Mount Vernon Middle School.  She is active in her church youth group, Knox Youth Choirs, MTVarts IQ, Middle School Band and Jazz Band.  She studies voice, piano and trumpet.  She loves to write stories, read and learn about history.  She loved researching and writing about Hannah Mitchel and the British Suffrage Movement.  She enjoyed competing in the various levels of the National History Day competition.  Ella loves spending time with her friends, family and five cats.  She considers herself to be a"fangirl" of "Doctor Who," "Sherlock" and "Harry Potter."  She hopes you enjoy her performance and the many great performances at the Dan Emmett Festival!  ​

Anna Hellman will be an eighth grader at Mount Vernon Middle School this upcoming year.  As a seventh grader, Anna competed in History Day through the state level competition.  She portrayed her grandmother, Joanie Engel, who sued her school district for the right to keep teaching through her pregnancy with her daughter (and Anna's mom).  In her free time, Anna enjoys reading, dancing and playing violin. ​

        Susan Kahrl as Ethel Mermen