Leslie Goddard has made a career of portraying historical women
Leslie Goddard is in a self-imposed isolation to help stem the spread of coronavirus. The Darien-based historian/performer/author finds herself on an "unintended vacation," with eight weeks (so far) of canceled engagements.
"It's one of those things that is the nature of the job whose work requires public gatherings," said Goddard in a telephone interview. "But I'm finding that this is the perfect time to research new programs that I already have on the books."
Goddard has been doing historical portrayals and lectures full time since 2013. Goddard also likes to keep busy, tallying up 419 presentations in 2019 in venues as small as senior centers up to a 2,000-seat auditorium.
"If there weren't public interest in history and these stories, I wouldn't be able to do this," Goddard said.
Part of Goddard's work is doing "illustrated lectures" on topics ranging from "Remembering Marshall Field's" (the former Chicago department store) to "Chicago's Sweet Candy History." Both lectures are based on books of the same name written by Goddard.
But it's Goddard's costumed shows portraying women throughout history that brings her the most attention. She's played powerful women, including a plethora of former first ladies, down to servants who worked in manor houses or aboard ships like the Titanic.
"It's a very human way to do history," Goddard said.
Goddard did her first historical portrayal in 1994 when she was working at the Evanston Historical Society Dawes House. When a co-worker found out that Goddard had a master's degree in theater on top of her doctorate in history, she was prodded to portray Temperance leader Frances Willard (1839-1898).
"It was such a fascinating way to do history," Goddard said. "It was all about the stories and what people are feeling."
Goddard then moved onto performing as Chicago socialite and businesswoman Bertha Honoré Palmer (1849-1918) and aviator Amelia Earhart (1897-1937). Goddard said she has racked up about 15 different portrayals.
"I try not to have more than about eight women in my repertoire at any given time," Goddard said. "There are only so many women I can hold in my head."
"Leslie's really a dynamic presenter," said Karen Hall, executive director of the Glen Ellyn Historical Society, which regularly books Goddard.
Earlier this year, the Glen Ellyn Historical Society hosted Goddard for one of her newest shows, "Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat and Betty," in which she portrayed former first ladies Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford. Goddard has also been invited back to do lectures on "Votes for Women: The 72-Year Struggle for Women's Suffrage," which is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, and "Christmas in the Movies" at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.
"(Goddard) makes history come to life," Hall said. "She usually has a Q&A at the end of her programs - even the historical portrayals - and the depth of knowledge she brings to each of the topics is really quite remarkable."
Goddard pours in loads of research and dramatic skills to craft what is essentially a series of 45- to 50-minute, one-woman plays for each historical portrayal. She also has to be an expert in costuming and makeup.
"You don't want anything to take the audience out of the historical reality," said Goddard, adding that she scours vintage shops for many of her costumes. "People know if it's accurate or not."
Goddard adds that all the dressing up proves to be helpful for getting into character.
"Wearing the right corset will make you sit a certain way," Goddard said. "It physically puts you into a time in the past. And it's a very different feel to be wearing - let's say - a hoop skirt and multiple petticoats of the 1860s than it is to be wearing spiked heels and hose of the 1960s."
Goddard also tries to keep on top of trends. With the recent release of director Greta Gerwig's film version of "Little Women," Goddard made certain that her take on author Louisa May Alcott was ready to go. And the popularity of true crime podcasts has inspired Goddard's in-progress portrayal of Lizzie Borden.
Historical anniversaries also figure into Goddard's planning. This year, Goddard added the suffragist Alice Paul to her repertory to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, granting American women the right to vote.
"Who would have thought that you could find a job where you could combine history and theater?" Goddard said. "I set my own schedule and I choose who I want to be - I get to cast myself."
For more information on Leslie Goddard, visit her website at lesliegoddard.info.