Hello, my name is Tom Gilding. I have performed Mark Twain on riverboats in Wisconsin and luxury yachts off the coast of Florida; for elementary students in Hilton Head, South Carolina, middle schoolers in Dothan, Alabama, and high-school literature students of Santa Barbara, California; and for business groups as diverse as Ray-O-Vac, Triple A, and the Women's International Bowling Congress.
I truly enjoy bringing Mark Twain's wit and wisdom to life for audiences of today.

"Gilding portrays Twain (as) the crusty, beloved 'author' I'd come to see." - Bob Puhala, The Chicago Sun Times

"Gilding succeeded in demonstrating not only Twain's range of thought; but his range of emotion, the quickness of his wit, and indeed, his wisdom." - Bob Schantz, Headmaster, Wayland Academy

"I met you when you walked in from outside, and I actually thought you were the real thing." - Jennifer, 11th grade, Sparks, NV

"We've had other people come into class with a character, but yours was the best." - Alicia, 3rd grade, West Allis, WI

"If I have a passion for anything, it is to teach. It is noble to teach oneself; it is still nobler to teach others--and less trouble." - Mark Twain

Mark Twain is a great teacher. As he teaches he shares insights on writing, reading, and speaking; and he talks about his own life and literature.

Choose from three distinct shows:

• MARK TWAIN TALES FOR CHILDREN (Grades K-3)
  Mark Twain interacts with children telling stories and showing slides of his boyhood home, his days on the Mississippi River, and his travels out West. Twain helps children use their imagination and make up their own stories. Students get to talk with the author. Mark Twain book marks are presented to all children.

  "You were great! I loved all of the stories you told." - Sarah, 2nd grade

• THE WIT & WISDOM, LIFE & TIMES OF MARK TWAIN (Grades 4 & 5, 6-8)
  Tom Sawyer days in Mark Twain's Hannibal, Missouri are a highlight of this presentation. Twain shows students how to "Write about what you know about." Twain's "Advice to Youth" ("Obey your parents--when they are present.") offers tongue-in-cheek bits of wisdom to young Toms and Beckys of today.
  A question and answer exchange allows students the opportunity to talk with the author.

  "You really were Mark Twain. I learned a lot because of your performance. I wish you could have been here longer." - Paula, 8th grade

• MARK TWAIN: THE LINCOLN OF OUR LITERATURE (Grades 9-13)
  A study of Huckleberry Finn or other Twain writing is greatly enriched when "Twain" speaks with students. Taking students on a journey through his life, literature, and inner-most thoughts, Mark Twain brings his literature alive for high schoolers of today.

  "It's as though the real Mark Twain is talking to you." - Ashley, 10th grade

  "You were very funny and kept my attention the whole time, and believe me, that is not an easy thing to do--just ask Mrs. Martin." - Matt, 9th grade

"He said he changed his mind, which was a gilded figure of speech, because we all knew he hadn't any." - Mark Twain

Mark Twain's humorous and insightful words on topics such as working together as a team, developing communication skills, and seeking realistic goals, reach audiences of all ages in this timely, and unique presentation.

"Mark Twain was such a success; a record attendance for our annual meeting." - Diane Straseskie, Beaver Dam Library

"What a treat the Beloit folks had during Heritage Days because of Mark Twain." - Beloit Daily News

"An excellent performance that will long be remembered . . . everyone enjoyed it." - John Wozniak, Lake Geneva Kiwanis

For Business

"Some say money is the root of all evil. I wholeheartedly disagree. I say the lack of money is the root of all evil." - Mark Twain

Mark Twain Gets Down To Business & Mark Twain Presents are performances that will inspire all members of the business team while teaching the importance of building daily habits of communication and cooperation.

Mark Twain Gets Down To Business
Mark Twain ran his own publishing house, a business which successfully printed and marketed some of America's most successful books including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Memoirs of General Grant. Through this unique presentation, "Twain" talks shop, gives advice on money and investments, and shares his insights on writing, speaking, using humor in achieving goals, as well as learning the art of working together as a team.

"A timely and fresh new way to inservice. 'Twain' really promoted the importance of good writing." - Dave Kemper, Write Source Publishing House

"Tom was wonderful! We've had him back for the last two years, and we plan to have him again next year. A remarkable job." - John O'Conner, Wellman Corporation, Rhode Island

Mark Twain Presents
The wit and wisdom of America's most beloved author and speaker is presented in this humorous and inspiring performance. Tom Gilding brings Mark Twain to the podium in a performance that shares humorous and witty insights on daily life and heartfelt wisdom on some of humankind's most universal truths.

This is a keynote address to remember.

"Tom's composite words from Mark Twain's speeches, put together for our representative assembly of 800 delegates, were timely and right on the mark. Even though they were thoughts and philosophies of a hundred years ago, they were as fresh as those of today." - Terry Craney, President, Wisconsin Education Association Council

For Theaters

"The best speech is the impromptu. But not the real impromptu, the counterfeit--the one that has been practiced...It takes me a three weeks to put together a good impromptu speech." - Mark Twain

Mark Twain's books are classics, but it was his lectures that fascinated audiences of his day and led to his legacy as America's first, great humorist.

"Mark Twain was one of the most popular performers of his time." - Kurt Vonnegut

Award-winning educator, writer, and riverboat pilot, Tom Gilding, performs a remarkable first-person recreation of America's most beloved writer, humorist, and speaker, Mark Twain.

Theatrical performances include:

• Memorial Union Theater, Madison, WI
• Georgetown College Theater of Fine Arts, Georgetown, KY
• Manitowoc Theater, Manitowoc, WI
• Beaufort County Community Center, Hilton Head, SC
• Highland Park Library Theater, Highland Park, IL
• Janesville Civic Hall, Janesville, WI
• Cashman Field, Las Vegas, NV
• Adlai Stevenson Auditorium, Lincolnshire, IL
• Racine Women's Club Theater, Racine, WI
• Clausen Memorial Auditorium, Whitewater, WI
• Scofiel Theater, Eau Claire, WI

Jean Honan, Racine's Women's Club

Mark Twain Entertainment
W1075 Potter Rd.
Burlington, WI 53105
Phone: 1-262-763-5510
Email: twain@wi.net