THURSDAY, MAY 19 | 11:00 AM
Join popular presenter Johnny Kinsman for this fast-paced 45-minute lecture as he traces the dramatic transformation of Boston from a proud and loyal British colony into the epicenter of armed resistance. Beginning with destructive street protests against the Stamp Act, the talk explores how tensions between imperial authority and local rights escalated through a series of flashpoints: the tragedy of the Boston Massacre, the defiant spectacle of the Boston Tea Party, and the daring theft of British-guarded cannons that signaled a colony increasingly willing to confront royal power. Through vivid storytelling and careful historical detail, Kinsman introduces the personalities and choices that shaped the moment—merchants, soldiers, agitators, and ordinary citizens—while highlighting the growing realization that reconciliation with Britain might no longer be possible as protest becomes war.
ABOUT JOHNNY KINSMAN
Johnny Kinsman hails from Concord, MA and is an actor, director, producer, writer, tour guide, and storyteller whose career was launched with a BFA in Theater from Syracuse University, where he received the prestigious Edward G. Greer Award for Excellence in Classical Acting.
Johnny serves as Tour Quality Manager for Boston Duck Tours, where he trains and coaches their talented flock of “ConDucktors” to educate and welcome guests from all over the world. As Associate Artistic Director for Anthem Theater in Boston, Johnny’s work includes: both Dromios in The Comedy of Errors; Fezziwig in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol; Coach “Friar” Lawrence in Romeo VS. Juliet (which he also penned); Flynn in The Merry Way; and Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night of the Living Dead.
Whether it be tomes of history, scripts for the stage, collections of poetry, (or his kids’ report cards!), Johnny’s favorite pastime is mining volumes of text to pluck out the jewels of stories that bring the past to life, and bridge the gap between people, centuries, and continents.
