A group of students in black clothing stand on stage and perform a speech.
Photo by Lenice Araiza.

Oratory Residency and Festival

date February 4, 2025 — February 5, 2025
10:30 am – 12 pm
Free | General Admission Tickets Required

Honor the enduring power of words at our 17th Annual Lincoln Oratory Festival. This inspiring event celebrates Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and his remarkable ability to captivate audiences with his oratory skills. Witness talented students from local schools deliver powerful speeches from a selection of historical figures. Explore the rich tapestry of American history through speeches by Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Chief Powhatan, Ida B. Wells, Sojourner Truth, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Geraldine Ferraro. Reserve free tickets at the links below.

About the Lincoln Oratory Residency and Festival Program

The Lincoln Oratory Residency and Festival program involves 3rd – 8th-grade students experiencing and exploring the power of historical speeches. Throughout the program, students will work with a Fords Teaching Artist to enhance their vocabulary, develop public speaking skills and build confidence as they bring historical speeches to life on stage at Ford’s Theatre.

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