Award winning actor, Derek Evans, has spent 40 years educating schools, museums, and libraries. He has trained with the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and New York University and has been in over 40 stage productions in cities such as New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia. From 1969 to 1988, he wrote, produced, and performed in almost seven thousand performances for over two million students. In those twenty years he debuted in Shakespeare, opera, and literary adaptations. In the middle of his career, he ran the Truck Theater in Chicago for 20 years, taking theatrical productions to venues in a truck. Since 1995 his living history presentations on Theodore Roosevelt have been a staple of his career. Totaling over 500 performances, Derek has brought Teddy back to life!

Evans holds bachelors and masters degrees from Northwestern University and maintains a reference library of over 400 volumes that focus on Theodore Roosevelt and 19th and early 20th century American history. Complete published works of Roosevelt are included in his collection. Known as “Teddy” to the world, Theodore Roosevelt spent three decades as the face of America. Derek Evans honors this American through his live performances and allows people to meet “the most American American who ever lived!” He has travelled across the country in classrooms, museums, theaters, and even visited the White House Visitor Center!

Many years were spent researching and writing the solo show “The Man in the Arena.” Ever since he picked up the first book on the 26th president he has been obsessed. The title of the show comes from a widely quoted speech Roosevelt gave in 1910. Evans wants to open the eyes of the audience to the extent of Teddy’s legacy that many people are unaware of. He was the godfather of progressive politics and founded the environmental movement.

Evans allows the audience to travel back in time and meet the Bull Moose himself, Teddy Roosevelt. The 26th president of the United States of America is known for his power, responsibility, and honesty. He held high ideals and always practiced what he preached. Teddy showed the American people what can be done when doing our best and what it means to truly be American. The purpose of “The Man In The Arena” is to bring this honorable man back to life and remind the public what this hero did for the country.

The show will take place on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 6:30pm. Doors open at 6:00 p,m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 on the day of the performance. Tickets can be purchased online and at the Coconino Center for the Arts. To avoid an online ticketing fee, please call the Coconino Center for the Arts at (928) 779-2300. All ticket sales are final – no refunds will be issued.