American Historical Theatre Actor Highlights ‘Perfect Union’ at TAMIU

Robert Gleason of the American Historical Theatre will perform live at the opening invitation-only reception of “To Form a More Perfect Union,” a historical documents exhibit featured at Texas A&M International University’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) Gallery.

The exhibit includes original documents from King George III, George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant and is made possible by Toni L. Ruiz, with the assistance of the TAMIU’s Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library’s Special Collections and Archives and the American Historical Theatre.

For more than 12 years, Gleason has been associated with the American Historical Theatre, portraying James Wilson, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He regularly performs for Valley Forge Elderhostel, the Freedoms Foundation and often presents at the National Archives on July 4.

For their “Patriots or Traitors” campaign, the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau asked the American Historical Theatre to develop the character of British General Sir William Howe, in their efforts to present the conflict for American Independence. Gleason, having striking similarities to the General, was the best choice. Because of his knowledge of American and British politics, he later took on the role of General Charles Cornwallis as well.

Gleason has also portrayed Galileo, Christopher Columbus, Governor Clinton of New York, Patrick Henry, Edmund Randolph, Abraham Lincoln and most recently John Witherspoon, preacher and president of Princeton University. He has appeared in the occasional film and is currently researching 18th century medicine for his portrayal of Dr. Thomas Bond, founder of Pennsylvania Hospital.

He holds a degree in Theater Arts from West Chester University and is a devoted historian. With his strong musical background and tenor-baritone voice, he has participated in more than 50 plays and musicals, and toured with the Seventh Army Soldiers’ Chorus.  A past spokesperson for the American Heart Association, Gleason presented a special costumed historical program, “They Signed for Us,” across the United States.

The “To Form a More Perfect Union” documents featured are part of Ruiz’s personal collection and are on loan to TAMIU. They will be on display at the CFPA Gallery through Feb. 7, and thereafter in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Archives and Special Collections, room 204.

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