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The Accidental Hero: A One Man Play 2011

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,033
Project of
Lake Agassiz Regional Library Legacy Grant SFY 2010 - SFY 2011
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Status
Completed
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected
Clearwater
Norman
Clearwater
Norman
Project Overview

This one-man play is a presentation from Minnesota Historical Society – Minnesota’s Greatest Generation program. It is performed by acclaimed actor Patrick Dewane. MHS MGG describes the program as follows:

Patrick Dewane tells the story of his grandfather, a man whose seemingly goofy CB radio-handle during the 1970s–“The Accidental Hero”–was really a clue to his incredible story as a WWII Czech-American soldier fighting in the forests of his family’s ancient homeland.

Dewane’s grandfather, Matt Konop, rarely talked about the war, but years after his death Dewane was handed a pile of typewritten pages that a family member had discovered in a box in a basement. “The Accidental Hero” is an astonishing one-man play about history, the reality of war and the mystery of heroes.

Project Details

Event Dates, Locations and Attendance at each individual event:
1. 02/22/2011- Gonvick Community Center - 13
2. 02/23/2011 - Halstad Living Center - 45
3. 02/24/2011- Twin Valley LINK Site – 21

• Partner Organization(s): MHS MGG
• Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program:This program was paid for from the LARL contributions to the state for MHS MGG.

Advertising and Contracted Services paid out of MHS MGG Statewide Partnership
79 people attended this activity.

2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,033
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; Describe proposed end user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status.Audiences will be1. Exposed to a piece of Minnesota history.2. Exposed to a part of history from “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation”.3. Exposed to a professional actor and professional theatre4. Allowed to ask questions about both the subject matter of the play and the nature of performance

Measurable Outcome(s)

A summary of survey results are as follows:1.  The program met my expectations.

  • Strongly agree (29)
  • Agree (12)
  • Disagree (0)
  • Strongly disagree (0)
  • No opinion (0)

2.  The program enabled me to see a performer/speaker/film I would not have seen or known about otherwise.

  • Strongly agree (33)
  • Agree (12)
  • Disagree (0)
  • Strongly disagree (0)
  • No opinion (0)

3.  The program enhanced my knowledge and understanding of the Greatest Generation.

  • Strongly agree (24)
  • Agree (21)
  • Disagree (0)
  • Strongly disagree (0)
  • No opinion (1)

4.  The program increased my interest in Minnesota History.

  • Strongly agree (17)
  • Agree (19)
  • Disagree (0)
  • Strongly disagree (0)
  • No opinion (5)

5.  After participating in this program today, are you more likely or less likely to think of the library as a place to experience cultural or arts programming?Very Likely                                                                             Not at all likely 10 - (18)   9 - (14)   8 - (4)  7 - (2)       6     5 - (6)   4      3      2          1 - (1)                                                                                                                                                                        6.  Please rate the overall quality of the performances.

  • Excellent (36)
  • Good (7)
  • Fair (0)
  • Poor (0)
  • No opinion (0)

7. On a scale of 10 to 1, how likely is it that you would recommend this Minnesota's Greatest Generation in the Libraries program to your friends or family?Very Likely                                                                             Not at all likely10 - (30)   9 - (7)   8 - (4)         7 - (2)  6          5 - (2)  4          3          2          1          8.  What did you like best about this program?

  • The enthusiasm for heritage (4)
  • The video with the presentation
  • How animated the actor was - simply removing or wearing eyeglasses to denote the character
  • The story about the war
  • Very engaging
  • It brought to light something that would go unknown if it hadn't been told
  • I like
  • The whole thing - very educational - portrayed well
  • The speaker was very animated and versatile - I enjoyed him very much
  • The information
  • The was rite
  • Presentation
  • Performance; video
  • Made the war history very real and family history too
  • All his excellent work
  • The story (4)
  • Done so artistically well; very engaging
  • The personal performance
  • Everything (4)
  • His easy portrayal of different characters to keep it interesting
  • The portrayal of his grandfathers experience as though it were just happening
  • It reminded us again about the honors of war
  • I loved the acting, the story, the history.Wonderful job of integrating the music, video, pictures...

9.  How could we improve this program?

  • More people
  • Better lighting
  • Too long
  • It was great
  • It was excellent
  • Not at all!
  • No improvement needed (2)
  • Have in the afternoon

10.  How did you find out about this performance? Please check ALL that apply.

  • Flier or brochure (9)
  • Email notification (1)
  • Facebook (0)
  • Word of Mouth (8)
  • Newspaper listing (25)
  • Library website (11)
  • Radio (2)
  • Member newsletter (0)
  • Other: (9)

11.  Have you attended a cultural or art performance at or sponsored by your library before? Yes (32) - No (16) 12.  What is your zip code?  56644 (4)   56621 (2)   56634 (2)   56646 (1)   56548 (10)  58103 (1)  56510 (13)   56525 (1)  56581 (2)   56584 (8)  56545 (2)

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