COWBOYS, SKINNERS & THE NO-MAN’S LAND
Revolutionary Tales of Westchester County. During the American Revolution, Westchester County became a perilous “No-Man’s Land” caught between British and Patriot lines. It was a time when neighbors turned into enemies — and outlaws ruled the roads. Loyalist “Cow-boys” stole cattle and supplies for the British. Their rivals, Patriot “Skinners,” fought to stop them, but often acted no better than bandits themselves.
In this vivid storytelling performance Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk tells of the daring deeds, double-crosses, and moral dilemmas of this turbulent time. Meet figures like cunning James DeLancey, the ruthless Shubal Merritt, and the deeply divided Van Cortlandt family. Perfect for schools, libraries, and historic sites, this program blends history, drama, and legend to illuminate how the Revolution tested loyalties and transformed ordinary people into unforgettable characters.
Audience: Ages 10+ Duration: 1 hour
Presenter: Jonathan Kruk Fee: $450.
Contact: jonathankruk@gmail.com
Availability: Weekday evenings and many weekends
Site Requirements: Indoor or outdoor stage and seating
TREASON OF THE DARKEST DYE!
One of the most significant actions during the American Revolution occurred in Westchester County. General Benedict Arnold’s treasonous plot to give West Point to the British got thwarted by three farmer-soldiers in central Westchester. Had Arnold’s co-conspirator, British Major John André, made it through to New York City, America may have lost its Revolutionary cause. Performing in period dress, Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk engages audiences, especially seventh graders, in this most compelling story of the fight for Independence.
Audience: Ages 11 + Duration: 1 hour
Presenter: Jonathan Kruk Fee: $475
Contact: jonathankruk@gmail.com
Availability: Weekday evenings and many weekends
Site Requirements: Indoor or outdoor stage and seating
WESTCHESTER'S RAIDS, BATTLES & BURNING
Stories of our county under siege during those trying times. Accounts grim and glorious of the Battle of White Plains, Pell's Point, Edgar's Lane, Pine Bridge, and the Burning of Bedford. Ask Jonathan to tailor the program to note the locale during the American Revolution.
Audience: Ages 11 + Duration: 1 hour
Presenter: Jonathan Kruk Fee: $475
Contact: jonathankruk@gmail.com
Availability: Weekday evenings and many weekends
Site Requirements: Indoor or outdoor stage and seating
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: A DRAMATIC READING & DIALOGUE
Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk, dressed in 1776 garb, delivers a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence! Westchester County played a vital role in approving our nation’s most famous document. Kruk’s lively performance engages the audience, especially middle and high school students, throughout the reading with rousing tones,calls of “Huzzah!” and “Down with the King!” The presentation concludes with a follow-up on the sources and inspirations of the Declarations. Students will be guided through skits on quartering, taxation, and other topics.
Audience: Ages 10+ Duration: 15-30 minutes, adjusted as needed
Presenter: Jonathan Kruk Fee: $475.
Contact: jonathankruk@gmail.com
Availability: Weekday evenings and many weekends
Site Requirements: Indoor or outdoor stage and seating
HULDA: THE WITCH OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Storyteller Carla Lynne Hall performs an updated narrative of Mother Hulda of Bohemia, a woman who—as legend has it—lived in Sleepy Hollow during the 1770s. In Edgar Mayhew Bacon’s 1897 book Chronicles of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, he mentioned the woman whose basket weaving and healing abilities led to her being shunned as a witch, while her skills as a sharp-shooter made her a Revolutionary War hero. Jim Keyes accompanies on guitar.
Audience: Ages 10+ Duration: 1 hour (flexible)
Presenter: Carla Lynne Hall Fee: $450
Contact: Hello@carlaandkeyes.com
Site Requirements: Indoor or outdoor space and seating for audience
