Some of America’s most iconic writers are stepping off the page and onto local stages this spring. Write Out Loud is launching American Literary Heroes, a touring performance series that brings Emily Dickinson, Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, and Walt Whitman to life at venues across San Diego County.
The series is part of Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes and is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts – with Write Out Loud named one of only 50 recipients nationwide.
A Literary Launch Party in Old Town
The celebration kicks off with a launch party at the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town. Guests can enjoy appetizers and signature cocktails on the patio, followed by performance excerpts from each of the four featured authors, plus dessert and coffee to round out the afternoon.
It’s a chance to experience these legendary voices up close before they head out on tour across the county.
Four Authors, Four Unique Performances
Each literary hero is portrayed by a professional actor using selections from the writer’s works along with moments from their life stories.
Emily Dickinson, written and performed by Rhianna Basore, highlights the poet’s innovative use of form and language that helped shape modernist literature.
Henry David Thoreau, written by Richard Platt and performed by Steve Smith, explores the philosopher’s advocacy for human rights and reverence for nature.
Mark Twain, written by Rachael VanWormer and performed by Paul Maley, celebrates the humorist often called the father of American literature.
Walt Whitman, written and performed by Todd Blakesley, honors the poet known as the father of free verse and his focus on the common man.
Together, the performances offer a dynamic look at four writers whose words still resonate today.
Literature for the Community
Founded in 2007, Write Out Loud is dedicated to inspiring, challenging, and entertaining audiences through the power of reading literature aloud. With programs that reach more than 30,000 people annually, the organization has become a staple in San Diego’s arts and education community.
Artistic Director Veronica Murphy shared that receiving NEA funding for this project is especially meaningful, noting the lasting impact Dickinson, Thoreau, Twain, and Whitman have had on the American literary canon.
American Literary Heroes will tour from mid-March through September 2026, bringing live literary storytelling to communities across the region.
See you there!
If you love literature, live performance, or simply want a different kind of Sunday afternoon in Old Town, this launch party is a thoughtful way to celebrate American storytelling – together.
📆 Performances available March – September 2026 | Launch party on Sunday, March 15, 2026, 1 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 2660 Calhoun St, San Diego
🎟️ Get tickets here
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!