Dr. Benjamin Franklin

I love portraying Dr. Ben. I feel that we have so much in common that once I am familiar with the details of his life, I AM Dr. Benjamin Franklin. So, when I go to an event as Ben I will either be the evening's speaker, a historian, an inventor, Ms Silence Dogood, a delegate to the 2nd Continental Congress, Richard Sanders (Poor Richard's Almanac) or ambassador to France. With the many hats that Mr. Franklin wore, he was comfortable with prince or pauper. I do have some outlined talks to choose from or you can pick a topic of your own or my favorite, 'Q & A' If someone has an interest, they usually have a question, and they are apt to engage and inquire. The answer will usually ignite a related question which will in turn lead to another answer and so on and so on. After 4 or 5 questions and answers I am usually 'off to the races' as I like to put it. In fact, with a free schedule, at one event, I talked with 2 couples for approximately 2 hours straight. Wow, how time flies.
I do have props that I can work with such as my kite with an exact replica of 'the key'. Also, being a printer I do have some booklets that I have written and printed and at times bring with me to pass out. I also love when I talk about the Declaration of Independence. I ask, "How many people have ever read the Declaration of Independence?" Not many, so I offer to read it. After one sentence or so of trying to make out the words, I slowly start to lower the document while still 'reciting' and dramatizing it. Once the audience realizes that I'm no longer reading but reciting and speaking the Declaration, the words come to life and their eyes begin to open wide. I always love that part.
So "What can the audience expect?" Engagement, 1 on 300 or 1 on 1 if they desire, because I desire to engage with everyone that wants to engage.

My name is Bob Stark and I portray Dr. Benjamin Franklin. In 2003 my family and I were offered an opportunity to dress and be a part of a Living History Reenactment. We all loved it and within a year the whole family was dressing and coming out. That's when I took my retail background and turned reenacting into a traveling colonial store, otherwise known as a sutlery. One of my associates who came out to help with the sutlery knew of my love of colonial history, my knowledge of the period and my likeness to Ben Franklin, that he suggested I portray him. While at an event I was hired to be Ben Franklin for a district wide school event celebrating the US Constitution, and I have portrayed Ben ever since. I have always loved to talk to people and now with my love of history and the knowledge of Dr. Franklin and the Founding Fathers I was able to combine them all. It has been an amazing 13 years, the people I have been able to touch with Franklin, the knowledge I have been able to pass along, the relationships I have been able to develop, the love of history I have been able to ignite in the school children and adults, it's been worth it, So, anytime I have an opportunity to dress and go out in public as Dr. Benjamin Franklin I take it.
So, when I go to an event as Ben I will either be the evening's speaker, a historian, an inventor, Ms Silence Dogood, a delegate to the 2nd Continental Congress, Richard Sanders (Poor Richard's Almanac) or ambassador to France. With the many hats that Mr. Franklin wore, he was comfortable with prince or pauper.
All that being said I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing you at your next event.

Well, depending on the size of the crowd/group I may be in need of a small or medium size sound system. Most of the time I will "mix and mingle" so sound systems are not always needed.
Other items that would be needed would be a chair or possibly a card table size table for props.