FDR SPEAKS

Steve Taft first portrayed President Franklin Delano Roosevelt teaming with actress and wife, Cindy Taft in February of 1998 to premiere FDR SPEAKS in Fletcher Theatre on the University of Louisiana -Lafayette campus.  The play was inspired and suggested by Dr. Sue Forrest of LSU-Eunice during the summer of 1997 in conjunction with the Chautauqua celebration at LSU-Eunice.  Dr. Forrest's suggestion of FDR speeches and letters inspired Taft to create a two-act presentation.  FDR SPEAKS is a multi-media docudrama highlighted by FDR's more famous speeches and/or acts of legislation. Most of the speeches and letters are edited.   The letters provide insight into the thoughts of FDR:  the man, his sense of ideals, and his larger than life gallery of friends. Various events in FDR's life center on the more humorous, dramatic or sensitive aspects of his life in order to present a thought-provoking, yet entertaining look at history and the fascinating life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States.

During the spring '98 tour of FDR SPEAKS, approximately 1000 students viewed the performances in several Lafayette, Louisiana Schools.  FDR SPEAKS returned in spring of 1999 in conjunction with the LSU-Eunice Guest Artist Series.  An excerpt of FDR SPEAKS has also been presented for the University of Northern Iowa Foundation and for the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center 911 Remembrance Concert.  FDR SPEAKS has also been produced as a reading (starring Marc Breaux) on several occasions at the Palm Springs Stroke Activity Center.
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