TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 27TH FOR THE 2026 SPEAKER SERIES
AN AFTERNOON OR EVENING WITH...
January 14th, 2026- Pleasanton, CA- Museum on Main announces performers for the highly anticipated 2026 Ed Kinney Speaker Series An Afternoon or Evening With… in-person at the Firehouse Arts Center. The series kicks off in February with Sojourner Truth, a powerful figure in the fight for human rights in the nineteenth century. The museum is also announcing the continuation of their virtual programing with A Virtual Viewing, which begins in March.
“We are thrilled to announce the 2026 line-up and have chosen dynamic performers who will portray a range of fascinating and pivotal historic figures,” notes the museum’s Executive Director, Tony Cruz. “Our line-up includes a variety of Chautauqua actors performing as film star Audrey Hepburn, accused murderer Lizzie Borden, rockstar Tina Turner, and more! Personally, I am excited to see Chautauquan James Armistead perform as his own ancestor who was a spy during the Revolutionary War. The story correlates perfectly with the 250th anniversary of America,” adds Cruz.
The museum is thrilled to be hosting its seventeenth season of the Ed Kinney Speaker Series at the Firehouse Arts Center. Attendance has continued to grow for the An Afternoon or Evening with… speaker series with over 3,000 people attending last year’s series. “This community continues to embrace the performance style known as Chautauqua. Chautauqua performances are a unique way for people, young and old alike, to engage with history. The performance style links acting and scholarship together to bring historical characters to life on stage,” says Cruz.
For each month of the series, February- November excluding July, there will be an Afternoon with… performance at 2:00 pm and an Evening with… performance at 7:00 pm at the Firehouse Arts Center. The member-only purchase period ends January 26th. Tickets become available on January 27th to the general public. The museum recommends checking their website or calling during regular business hours to get the most up to date information about ticket availability.
All events are general seating at the Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton, CA 94566. In person tickets are $30 General Admission, $25 Seniors (65+)/Students (with valid ID), and $20 Members. Virtual Viewing tickets are $30 General Admission, $25 Seniors (65+) / Students (with valid ID), and $20 Members. Tickets may be purchased online at www.museumonmain.org, at Museum on Main during regular operating hours or by phoning the museum at (925) 462-2766. Cash, check, Visa and MasterCard accepted.
The 2026 An Afternoon or Evening With… Schedule:
An Afternoon or Evening with... Sojourner Truth
Thursday, February 26th, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, March 5th, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
Madelyn Porter brings to life the formidable spirit of Sojourner Truth, one of the 19th century's most powerful advocates for human rights. In this compelling portrayal, witness the journey of the woman born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree, who escaped bondage. She transformed herself into an itinerant preacher and outspoken champion of abolition and women's rights.
An Afternoon or Evening with... Revolutionary War Spy
Thursday, March 26th, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, April 2nd, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
James Armistead brings to life the story of his ancestor who, with the permission of his enslaver, volunteered to serve under the Marquis de Lafayette in 1781. Posing as a runaway, James successfully infiltrated British camps, gaining the trust of top commanders Lord Cornwallis and the notorious traitor Benedict Arnold.
An Afternoon or Evening with... Grace O'Malley
Thursday, April 30th, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, May 7th, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
Irish legend abounds with stories of Grace O'Malley (portrayed by Karen Vuranch), a pirate queen who sailed the high seas in the 16th century. Even more compelling, the colorful stories of her life can be documented in fact. Not only did she fight against the conquest of Ireland by its powerful neighbor, England; she commanded an army of men and remained a leading political figure in a time when few women held any personal power.
An Afternoon or Evening with... Lizzie Borden
Thursday, May 7th, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, May 14th, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
Perhaps one of the most notorious murders of the 19th Century was that of Andrew and Abby Borden. Andrew’s daughter Lizzie, portrayed by Kim Harris, was arrested and stood trial for the murder, but was eventually acquitted. However, public opinion maintained that she was guilty, and therefore no other suspect was ever sought out.
An Afternoon or Evening with... J.F.K
Thursday, June 4th, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, June 11th, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
With the shadow of nuclear war overhead, the dream of reaching the moon on the horizon, and deep unrest stirring in the fight for civil rights, John F. Kennedy stood at a crossroads in the summer of 1963. Inspired by Robert Frost’s call to lead with both poetry and power, Jeremy Meier portrays JFK in the final and defining year of his presidency.
An Afternoon or Evening with... Tina Turner
Thursday, August 6th, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, August 13th, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, rose from modest beginnings and endured years of hardship, heartbreak, and challenge before becoming the electrifying “Queen of Rock & Roll.” Her transformation from the Ike & Tina Turner Revue to global superstardom as a solo artist reflects resilience, reinvention, and the triumph of spirit; an inspiring story of survival and strength that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
An Afternoon or Evening with... Elizabeth Packard
Thursday, September 17th, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, September 24th, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
Elizabeth Packard was committed to the Illinois State Hospital, the state mental asylum in 1860, and kept under lock and key for three years, all the while protesting her sanity. Packard's legacy is rooted in her unwavering commitment to justice making her a key figure in the early women's rights movement and mental health reform.
An Afternoon or Evening with... Audrey Hepburn
Thursday, October 1st, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, October 8th, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
It is 1989, and Audrey Hepburn has just returned to her home in Switzerland for an interview about her work as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. As Audrey (portrayed by Leslie Goddard) entertains her guests over cocktails, she shares stories about her WWII childhood, her remarkable success in Hollywood, and her lifelong efforts to find real love and overcome her own deep-seated fears.
An Afternoon or Evening with... P.T. Barnum
Thursday, November 19th, 2pm and 7pm
Location- Firehouse Arts Center
A Virtual Viewing
Thursday, December 3rd, On Demand Webinar
Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform
Doug Mishler's portrayal of "P.T. Barnum: Something of a Humbug," explores the life of the famous showman, from his business tactics to his political career as a Connecticut state legislator and mayor of Bridgeport. Mishler's performances are known for their "big, manic energy" and direct interaction with the audience, bringing history to life.
For more information on the Ed Kinney Speakers Series visit www.museumonmain.org or phone Museum on Main at (925) 462-2766.
The Museum on Main is located at 603 Main Street in historic downtown Pleasanton. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information about current exhibits and programs, visit the Museum’s web site at www.museumonmain.org or call (925) 462-2766.
