Photo Credit: Christoper Ponce (Wesley Village)
A One Woman Show Bringing History to Life
“Catherine Gaffney’s portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln was flawless. I felt like the First Lady was in the room.” -Mark (retired history professor)
From the moment that Catherine steps into the room, she embodies Mary’s spirit, personality and looks, engaging the audience as if they were members of the public waiting to see her husband in the portico of the White House in early 1865.
With wit, warmth, and raw honesty, Mary reflects on her Kentucky upbringing, her passionate marriage to Abraham Lincoln, the heartbreak of personal loss, and the triumphs and tragedies of the Civil War. As she prepares for an evening at Ford’s Theatre, she shares stories of love, grief, resilience, and hope—offering a deeply human portrait of a woman who stood beside one of history’s greatest leaders.
38 minutes later, audiences feel like they have met the First Lady and have experienced a bit of not only her history, but also her humanity.
Mary Todd Lincoln was one of the most extraordinary women of her time, and endures as a fascinating and important figure in American history. Born into a prosperous family in Lexington, Kentucky, she was uncommonly educated for a young woman of the early 1800s. When Mary moved to Springfield, Illinois, her vibrant personality and quick wit quickly made her a fixture in local social circles. She attracted the attention of several ambitious young men, including a promising attorney named Abraham Lincoln. Mary’s insight and unwavering support played a pivotal role in shaping Lincoln’s political path, which ultimately led to his election as President. Throughout his rise, Mary stood beside him—not only as a devoted partner, but as a First Lady whose influence was undeniable, if at times controversial.
Mary Todd Lincoln is portrayed by Catherine Gaffney, a multifaceted actress, educator, and voice-over artist. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Gaffney has performed on stages across the country. In Kentucky, her work has been featured at The Lexington Theatre Company, Lexington Children’s Theatre, and AthensWest.
Kentucky Chautauqua is an exclusive presentation of Kentucky Humanities. Through programs that celebrate the history, literature, and culture of the Commonwealth, Kentucky Humanities brings together communities, preserves stories, and inspires lifelong learning across Kentucky. For information about Kentucky Humanities’ programs and services visit https://www.kyhumanities.org/.
Where (geographically) does this show tour?
This one-woman performance will tour the state of Kentucky* through August of 2028. For travel that is further than 2.5 hours from Nicholasville, KY – an overnight stay may be necessary. (Luckily, most of KY is within that circle.) For those west of Bowling Green or east of Hazard, we can see if other organizations would like to host a show in the area, sharing the cost of accommodation.
*Should someone outside of Kentucky be interested in a performance, please reach out via email.
What kind of groups is this appropriate for?
The show is perfect for: Community Groups, Historical Societies, Libraries, Museums, Women’s Groups, Church Events, Schools (grades 4-12)*, Colleges/Universities, and more…
*The target age group for students would be 4th grade and up (as this will complement the history curriculum when students learn about Mary Todd Lincoln in school).
The show is 38 minutes in length. It is dynamic and engaging. However, the attention level of an audience should be considered when booking (especially for youth).
What performance space is needed?
An ideal area would be a level surface approximately 12 feet wide by 12 feet deep. (Mary’s hoop skirt alone takes up 5 feet!)
In addition, Catherine will bring a Victorian-looking chair and small table along with her.
Please consider the acoustics when choosing your performance space. Outside noise can be distracting to audiences. Catherine does not tour with a sound system, but can use a lavalier microphone if your organization would like to provide one.
How can someone book the show?
Please scroll to the bottom of this web page for the booking link, or go HERE and use the calendar there as your guide to choosing a date that may work for your group.
STEP 1: REQUEST a date & time for your presentation(s) (at least 2 weeks in advance, please) and then fill out some basic contact information.
STEP 2: Catherine will EMAIL you to confirm your chosen date or ask for alternatives.
STEP 3: IMPORTANT: Once a date has been confirmed, you MUST “officially” book your performance through the KENTUCKY HUMANITIES website (easy link HERE)
Please note: Travel time from Nicholasville, KY will be taken into account when confirming availability.
How much does a performance cost?
Booking Fees:
Reduced Cost: $200.00 Per Presentation*
Full Cost: $450.00 Per Presentation
Sponsoring Organizations (you) will pay Kentucky Humanities. You can choose for Kentucky Humanities to invoice you for the fee once your request is approved, or pay online by credit card when you complete your booking. Kentucky Humanities will pay the performer directly after the performance.
Details:
Thanks to generous underwriters and sponsors, Kentucky Humanities will again offer reduced-cost Chautauqua performances through October 2026**.
– A non-profit community sponsor* may host reduced-cost Kentucky Chautauqua programs for $200 each.
– For-profit organizations wishing to book Kentucky Chautauqua performances may purchase them at full cost — $450 per program. Admission may be charged to performances purchased at full price.
– Kentucky Humanities pays the performer’s honorarium directly. Sponsors are responsible for overnight accommodations, if needed.
– Kentucky Chautauqua is intended for audiences of 40 or more. Please do not schedule smaller groups. Performances may not be audio or video recorded.
* To be eligible for the reduced cost rate, the program must be sponsored by a non-profit organization and should be free and open to the public. Reduced cost presentations are limited and application for one does not guarantee that it will be awarded. If a reduced-cost request is denied, you will receive an email from Kentucky Humanities asking if you would like to proceed at the full cost rate instead.
** Organizations are limited to ONE reduced-cost Kentucky Chautauqua until October 31, 2026. You may book additional Kentucky Chautauqua programs for the full cost of $450. There are currently a limited number of reduced-cost bookings available.
Tips from Kentucky Humanities for Hosting a Successful Program
Publicize your program effectively. (Program sponsors will receive a publicity kit from Kentucky Humanities.) A few publicity suggestions:
– Send news releases to newspapers and broadcast stations
– Send a newsletter announcing the program to members of your group
– Post flyers in prominent community locations
Sponsors must acknowledge support from Kentucky Humanities and regional underwriters in all publicity materials and event programs. Printed credits should read, “This program was funded in part by Kentucky Humanities. The Kentucky Humanities logo will be supplied upon request and is available for download here.
Confirm more than once. One week before your program, call the performer to review arrangements. (Catherine will have emailed you her contact information.)
The performer may have a long drive, so please put the Kentucky Chautauqua presentation before the business part of your agenda.
The day of the show:
– When you introduce the presentation, be sure to acknowledge the support of Kentucky Humanities.
– Immediately after your program takes place, fill out the evaluation form.
What is Kentucky Chautauqua?
Kentucky Chautauqua is an exclusive program of Kentucky Humanities, an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Since its beginning in 1992, Kentucky Chautauqua® has brought to life more than 70 people from Kentucky’s past — both famous and unknown.
Our Kentucky Chautauqua performers travel to schools and community organizations throughout the state delivering historically accurate dramatizations of Kentuckians who made valuable contributions to the history of the Commonwealth.
The current Kentucky Chautauqua cast includes 23 figures from Kentucky’s rich and colorful history. From William Wells Brown’s struggle for freedom and John Marshall Harlan’s role as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, to Alice Lloyd’s struggle to bring education to Appalachia and Jean Ritchie’s musical legacy, Kentucky Chautauqua offers something for every classroom and community group.
Kentucky Educational Television (KET) aired an episode of Kentucky Muse about Kentucky Chautauqua. Click here to watch.
Collaborator Credits:
WRITER & DIRECTOR: Bo List : Bo List has written numerous other Kentucky Chautauqua performances, including those for the characters of Abraham Lincoln, Henry Clay, Nancy Green, and Daniel Boone. His stage plays include the adaptations of “Frankenstein”, “Rossum’s Universal Robots (R.U.R.)”, and “The Last Dracula”, as well as the original plays “Ladies of Liberty” and “Ghost Music”.
COSTUMER: Andrea Nasfell : Andrea Nasfell is not only a gifted costumer and seamstress, she is also an accomplished screenwriter, with fifteen feature films produced including “Moms’ Night Out”, “The Resurrection of Gavin Stone”, “Holiday for Heroes” and “Mr. Manhattan”. Before moving to Kentucky, she lived and worked in Los Angeles for 25 years and taught screenwriting at USC. She teaches writing in both the Media Communications and Creative Writing programs at Asbury University.
HISTORICAL CONSULTANT: David Swartz : David R. Swartz is a professor of history at Asbury University. Areas of teaching and research interest include American religious history, twentieth-century American culture, global religion, Civil War memory, and issues of war and peace. www.davidrswartz.com
People Are Saying ...
“Catherine Gaffney’s portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln made Mrs. Lincoln come alive for well-read senior citizens who know her history as well as for students who were just learning about her. Her performance was incredibly believable.”
“This was my first Chautauqua experience. Catherine Gaffney was wonderful in her portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln. I’m amazed that anyone can memorize that much dialogue. She exceeded my expectations.”
“I am an avid reader who has read all of the books that Catherine Gaffney referenced in her Q&A after her performance, so I knew the facts of her presentation, but she made me be there with Mary Todd Lincoln as they happened! She did an amazing job of making me feel a literal part of the crowd waiting to see President Lincoln.”
“Catherine Gaffney did an amazing job at drawing me into the reality that Mary Todd Lincoln lived in. A complex time, a complex woman. Her costume, hair, mannerisms, and dialect were perfect for the period. I learned so much and am so glad I came!”
“Beyond amazing command of memory and dialect to present such an outstanding monologue!”
“Catherine Gaffney put heart and soul into my novel, bringing the characters to life with their own unique voices.”
“The tragic loss of father, brothers, sons, and her own husband defines Mary Todd Lincoln’s life. Catherine Gaffney’s portrayal of Mary as daughter, sister, mother and wife artfully wove together facts, storytelling, and humor. We saw Mary Todd Lincoln come to life before us.”
“Catherine Gaffney’s portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln was flawless. I felt like the First Lady was in the room.”
Thank you for your interest in bringing the Kentucky Chautauqua Presentation of “Mrs. President: A Nation Divided” to your organization. To request a date, simply:
STEP 1: Click on a date & time (at least 4 weeks in advance, please) and then fill out some basic contact information.
STEP 2: Catherine will email you to confirm your chosen date or ask for alternatives.
STEP 3: After dates are confirmed, the final step is to officially book your performance with KENTUCKY HUMANITIES.
*Please note: Travel time from Nicholasville, KY will be taken into account when confirming availability.*
If you have any question about date availability, simply reach out via EMAIL.