Oct.-Dec. 2009
Vol. 3, No. 3
Richmond, Ky.
Frederick Douglass becomes alive
through Crutcher's portrayals

“Mesmerizing… spellbinding… captivating.”

The string of audience adjectives concerning a Frederick Douglass performance by Michael Crutcher is virtually without end.

Those who have witnessed the Nicholasville resident’s portrayal of America’s first civil rights advocate are in awe of what they see and hear from a individual who feels his calling is to share Douglass’ principles of freedom, equality, faith, education and self-esteem.

For more than five years, Crutcher has traveled 23 states and England providing his one-man portrayals at churches, schools, Civil War events and African-American conferences.

Although he’s one of many actors and re-enactors portraying Douglass - the anti-slavery leader who was a noted lecturer and newspaper editor - he has a growing cheering section who claims “he’s the best.”

Several years ago, a New Jersey resident shook his head after viewing a Crutcher performance.

“Michael IS Frederick Douglass,” he declared.

Crutcher, a long-time leader and promoter of Camp Nelson in Jessamine County, points out that he was born Sept. 3, the same day that Douglass escaped slavery and started a new life. He’s a devout scholar of Douglass who rose from slavery to become a key advisor to President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War era.

In his presentations, Michael notes that Douglass also was an initial champion of women’s rights and equality.

In his early research on African-American Civil War history, Crutcher discovered that his great-great grandfather, Daniel Gilchrist, was a member of the 13th U.S. Colored Troops Heavy Artillery out of Camp Nelson. He also found that Daniel’s father was from Virginia, where Douglass’ family was located before moving to Maryland.

A retired U.S. Army veteran and former assistant professor at Lexington Community College, Michael is an accomplished actor who has been a stand-in the motion picture “Seabiscuit” and appeared in the film “Dreamer.” His theatrical skill is evidenced in his DVD, “Frederick Douglass, Experience the Spirit.”

Cruther’s inspiring performances as Douglass really are human success stories. He describes how Douglass, who was born into slavery around 1817 in Tuckahoe, Md., was driven to read and write and, much like Lincoln, was self-educated and eventually gained international prominence.

By the time of his death in 1895, Douglass became known as the most prolific and influential black man of the 19th century and was called the “Lion of Washington.”

One of the most moving Douglass stories that Crutcher relates concerns Frederick’s visit to a former master who was dying. He takes Douglass' hand and confesses that he always believed in him and knew he had a greater destiny that would be fulfilled. They forgive each other and Frederick proclaims…

“We’re both victims of our time.”

Crutcher may be contacted at 125 Barkley Estates, Nicholasville, KY 40356, by phone at 859-797-9700 or via e-mail at hisimage622@aol.com.
Michael and 'the spirit'
Michael Crutcher’s DVD cover of his portrayal of Frederick
Douglass shows how closely he resembles the Civil War
personality. The other photo is of Crutcher not in makeup
or period dress.
Articles and photos appearing on www.thekentuckycivilwarbugle.com may be used with permission. For permission, contact Bugle editor Ed Ford at fordpr@mis.net.

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