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"THERE IS NOTHING MORE POWERFUL 

THAN THE HUMAN VOICE 

TELLING THE HUMAN STORY." 

~Jo Ann Tufo~

 Historic programs designed to teach the real stories about real people

 who made REAL sacrifices that changed

 their world and the course of history.

Introducing

Jo Ann Tufo

Jo Ann Tufo is a historian, writer, lecturer and performer who has over 30 years of experience.  Her realistic and haunting portrayals of various historic figures have delighted audiences for more than three decades in theaters, schools and auditoriums all over the United States. 

Jo Ann has also taught at Coastal Carolina University/ OLLI Program since 2012 focusing on a variety of subjects, including the Colonial, Civil War, World War I, World War II and Vietnam eras.  Many of her programs focus on the noteworthy contributions of women.    

MORE ABOUT JO ANN

~ Studied American History at Temple University in Philadelphia

~Worked as a tour guide/ historian in Philadelphia (Including Independence National Historic Park) for over 25 years.

~Studied and performed at the prestigious Walnut Street Theater, "America's Oldest Theater".

~Professional Stage Manager:  "Defending the Caveman"/ Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

~Writer/Producer/Performer of 5 one woman shows.

~Stand Up Comedian.  Finalist "Best Comic at the Beach" Carolina Comedy Club.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

PERFORMANCES

Live Performances

Adult Lecture Programs

NATIONWIDE VIRTUAL/ HYBRID APPEARANCES

ZOOM CLASSES/ STUDENT HOME LEARNING

HISTORIC VOICES is prepared to meet the needs of your audience, civic club, historic organization, 

library or students involved in

traditional schooling or home schooling.

FOR CURRENT ZOOM CLASSES GO TO  https://wnsalt.com/instructor/jo-ann-tufo/:


LET'S TALK ABOUT VIRTUAL AND HYBRID PROGRAMMING

In recent years I have learned that I can reach a wide variety of audience members through the use of  technology.  I am now meeting with people that I never could have dreamed possible.  We are VIRTUALLY closing geographical distance!  Individuals often prefer learning from home and connecting from the comfort of their personal space for a variety of reasons.  Hybrid programming creates a greater sense of community by joining virtual and in person presentations.  It makes once what was inaccessible...ACCESSIBLE.




SPECIALIZING

 IN 

MATURE AUDIENCES

Jo Ann has extensive experience presenting and performing 

for adult audiences in a variety of settings, including 

retirement communities and senior organizations.

She has also taught at Coastal Carolina University's

OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)

2012-2020, focusing on the interests of mature students.


Programs for people of

ALL LEVELS

OF

ABILITY

Jo Ann has worked professionally with people who experience cognitive challenges for over 40 years.

 She has developed and provided programs that can be enjoyed by individuals who require a more specialized approach, especially those who are experiencing age-related memory loss.





CHARACTER PRESENTATIONS

The Pirate Wife

Anne Bonny

Jo Ann performs as one of the few documented female pirates in history, Anne Cormac Bonny. Born in Ireland and emigrating to CharlesTowne, Carolina, (modern day Charleston, South Carolina) she was active in the Caribbean during the "Golden Age of Piracy".  

Real, raw and rambunctious, her story includes  a true example of a woman who lived life 

on her own terms.  .  

The Good Wife

Mrs. Benjamin Franklin

"A good wife and health

 are a man's best wealth."  

~Benjamin Franklin~

Experience the life of one of America's most fascinating founding fathers, Ben Franklin, through the eyes of his wife, Deborah Read Franklin.  Mrs. Franklin regales the audience with "electrifying" stories about life with Ben and the colonial experience from the female perspective.  

ALSO AVAILABLE-LECTURE AND  STUDENT HOME  LEARNING

 "The History and Mystery of  Benjamin Franklin"  . 


The Progressive Wife

Nellie Bly

"Nellie Bly" was America's first female investigative journalist and independent world traveler.  Elizabeth "Pink" Cochrane (Nellie) became one of the most famous women on the globe when she broke Jules Verne's fictitious record and traveled around the world in 72 days.  Her exposure of major social issues during the late 19th and early 20th century made her name a household word. 

Jo Ann brings this extraordinary woman to life and reminds the audience of the fascinating era of the dawn of Women's rights in America 

ALSO AVAILABLE:  LECTURE AND  STUDENT HOME LEARNING


projects

"The Victorious Wife:  Rosie the Riveter"


"The Victorious Wife" (another original one woman show by Jo Ann) represents the story of  World War II from the perspective of a mature woman who answers the call to action and works to support the war effort.  As a fifty five year old widow, she dedicates her life to doing her part, ultimately sacrificing two of her three sons in the theater of war.  It is a story of patriotism, love and loss.  It is also a story of HOPE and VICTORY,   

The Eternal Wife

Mary Lincoln

Mary Todd Lincoln was one of the most fascinating First Ladies, married to one of the most extraordinary Presidents.  Experience Mrs. Lincoln's journey from her childhood home in Lexington, Kentucky all the way to the nation's capital, Washington, DC.  The Lincoln's love story and family life during one of the most tumultuous times in American history has captured the imagination of people for generations.  

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES

​The Jolly Wife

Mrs. Santa Claus

Making your Christmas Merry and Bright!  

Experience the magic of the Christmas season with a visit from "The Jolly Wife". 

Mrs Santa can bring a sparkle to your family party, community or corporate event 

and offers a variety of programs to meet your group's needs. She can provide a lecture program to discuss 

the many cultural facets of Christmas celebrations throughout the world or something as simple as a reading of Clement Clark Moore's iconic "A Visit from St. Nicholas" for the tiniest audience members.

Whether you need a full evening of entertainment or a "meet-and- greet"/photo opportunity, 

Mrs. Claus can make it unforgettable. 

VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS...dance in her head!

Mrs. Santa will read to your child...

She loves attending Children's Events and sharing some of the secrets of the North Pole...

Santa's Trophy Wife

 will entertain at "grown up" parties with saucy stories about life with Santa, antics of the elves and raucous reindeer adventures... 

Delightfully Scary Fall Fun...

Create Halloween memories with a visit from the "Duchess of Doom" at your party or event.  "Duchy" brings lots of fun and spooky stories whether she is the main event or just hanging around to meet and greet your guests.

Historic

LECTURE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE

The following programs are available as lectures/ personal appearance and through ZOOM NATIONWIDE;

UNSINKABLE SPIRIT:

Women of Titanic


OLD GLORY:NEW GLORY

The History of the American Flag

GRACE KELLY:  American Princess

SHOOTING THE WAR:

Photography of World War II

ILLUSTRATING AMERICA:

The Art of Norman Rockwell

MORE

 LECTURES 

AVAILABLE via ZOOM or at YOUR LOCATION

Coming to America:  The History of Italian American Immigration NEW 2021

Coming to America:  The History of Irish Immigration in America NEW 2021

Marriage, Mourning and Mysticism in Victorian America NEW 2021

"Wives, Lovers and Spies:  Women of the Civil War"

"Amish Culture in Pennsylvania"

"History of American Fashion"

"First Ladies"

"America's Home:  The History of the White House"

"5000 Angels: Army Nurses in Vietnam"

"Airborne Angels:  Women in Aviation"

"Tough Broads:  Film Stars of the 1940s"

"Suffragists:  The Road to the Vote"

"Ladies of the Light:  Women Lighthouse Keepers"

"Bad Girls:  Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History"

"Strolling the Boards: America's Boardwalks"

"The Girls of Summer:  

Women of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League"

"See Jane Teach:  The History of Women in Education"

Let's Talk about LIFE:  History of Life Magazine

Island Girls:  Women of Long Island New York

Green Mountain Girls:  Women of Vermont


MORE OPTIONS AVAILABLE/ CALL FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS 


  .

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS

HISTORIC VOICES IS PROUD TO HAVE SERVED THE FOLLOWING LIST OF CLIENTS:


CHRIST CHURCH PRESERVATION TRUST

DAVID LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

ACTS RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

THE PENN RYN SCHOOL

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

BUCKS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MANOR COLLEGE

EASTERN UNIVERSITY

LOWER SOUTHAMPTON LIBRARY

LANGHORNE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

BENSALEM LIBRARY

WESTHAMPTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

INTERNATIONAL SOROPTIMISTS

UNION LEAGUE OF PHILADELPHIA

QUESTERS INTERNATIONAL

GRAND LODGE OF THE FREEMASONS

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION RAILWAY BUSINESS WOMEN 

USO

HORRY COUNTY LIBRARY

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC CIVIL WAR MUSEUM

MONMOUTH COUNTY GENEOLOGY ASSOCIATION

SPIRIT OF PHILADELPHIA

CHURCH OF THE SAVIOR

WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

REVIEW CLUB OF MOTGOMERY COUNTY

SUMTER LIBRARY AT THE VILLAGES

MARPLE  LIBRARY

NAPERVILLE LIBRARY DISTRICT

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

BLUE STAR MOTHERS

QUILTS OF VALOR

Bethpage Public Library

Hicksville  Public Library

Glen Cove  Public Library

Westhampton Public Library

Fountaindale Public Library District

Port Washington Public Library


...AND MANY MORE...






PHOTO GALLERY

 

AVAILABLE AS 

KEYNOTE/ GUEST SPEAKER

Lincoln Tomb

Springfield, Illinois


Contact Us


Serving NATIONWIDE audiences via virtual appearances.

Serving South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware for  in person presentations and performances.

Based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

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