Unlaunch’d Voices, an Evening With Walt Whitman

Letters of Recommendation

His acting was superb, and the writing, an honest weaving together of Whitman's poetry and recorded conversations, gives the audience an understanding of the development of Whitman's career and ideas from the earliest times to his 70s. Most poignant was the Civil War section where Whitman's humanity is tested and his ideas forged through suffering.

The program ends with Whitman's optimism shining through the darkest times and leaves the audience hopeful and energized. We thoroughly enjoyed this performance and highly recommend it to other colleges and universities seeking to enrich their cultural programs.

You successfully brought the human element to a great American poet whose writings are challenging for so many people. There is no better way to celebrate National Poetry Month and the individualist spirit of America.

In January of this year Stephen Collins presented his exciting play, Unlaunch'd Voices; an evening with Walt Whitman, at the Waltham Public Library. He performed to a full house and we could not accommodate all who wished to attend.

I have been scheduling the programs at the Waltham Public Library for many years and we often have theatrical performances and historical interpreters. I can say without reservation that Stephen Collins' presentation of Walt Whitman was one of the finest programs we have ever had.

Collins seems to have penetrated Whitman's soul....What kept the audience enraptured by the performance is that Collins' illusion is complete. The suspension of disbelief is absolute. The actor disappeared, and we accepted that we were in the presence of Walt Whitman. There's magic for you.

View the Letter of Reccomendation from the College of New Jersey