“I recently attended a presentation of Dr. Gary Gray’s James Garfield character. I was most impressed with his knowledge of the time period and how he related Garfield’s presidency with the historical events of the day. At the presentation he also fielded a number of difficult questions and his responses were well phrased, historically accurate and indicated a significant amount of research.”
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Gary L. Brown, Chautauqua Council,
Enid, OK

“Dr. Gray’s presentation of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is as good or better than the best Chautauqua characters I have seen. Indeed when he is finished people who remember FDR continue to ask him questions as though he were still president.”
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Steven D. Dortch, Museum of the Cherokee Strip, Oklahoma Historical Society

“You held the audience in rapt attention from the moment you entered until you concluded your portrayal of George Washington. It was most evident that you had conducted extensive research and study about Washington’s life, his character, values, and views. Of particular note were your comments about Washington’s vision for our your nation and the influence that the Magna Charta had on his views."
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Major General Clyde W. Spence, Somerset Chapter Regent
Danes and Barons of the Magna Charta

“You played the role of General George Washington with superb talent and historical accuracy in your presentation for the Daughter of the American Revolution. Everyone commented on how much they enjoyed the program. The winners of the American History Essay Contest were thrilled to have their pictures made with you.”
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Audrey Jones, Regent, Ponca City Chapter DAR

“Many of our students have lost touch with the lives and sacrifices of those servicemen who fought our Nation’s battles…Your performances connect them to heroes of our past and present.”
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John Matousek, Lt. Col. (Retired) United States Army/Teacher

“My students appreciated your lively portrayal of Thomas Jefferson. It is clear that you have done a great deal of research by the way you handled the student questions.”
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Dr. Carey M. Roberts, Assistant Professor of History, Arkansas Tech University

“Dr. Gray presented his Thomas Jefferson persona at our 15th Annual Eagle Days at Milford Lake and the visitors were quite taken with his willingness to speak while in costume. He was especially great with the children, who seemed in awe of his costumed character.”
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Cynthia Dierks, Park Ranger, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Milford Nature Center, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

“For some eight years now, the Enid Chautauqua committee has been pleased to work with and observe the Chautauqua-style presentations of Dr. Gary Gray. We have been impressed with the extraordinary length Dr. Gray has gone to research the essence of the seven characters he has developed. We have watched with pride as he has traveled the country to present various historical characters.”
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Board of Directors, Chautauqua Council of Enid, Inc.
 
“On behalf of the staff of Fort Selden Monument, I would like to say that we were all quite impressed with your wonderful interpretation and knowledge of Douglas MacArthur who, as a child, was here at the fort in the 1880s. Douglas never returned to Fort Selden so we were happy when he finally did.”
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Elva Melendrez, Fort Selden State Monument, New Mexico

“Thank you for sharing President Jefferson’s thoughts and the directions he gave to Lewis and Clark. We have a rich heritage here in the valley from Clark’s journey down the Yellowstone and the signature he carved in Pompey’s Pillar.”
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Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Rochejhone Chapter, Billings, Montana

“It’s amazing, your characterizations had us believing we were listening to the actual person speak. Everything, your costumes and mannerisms, was perfect. The research required was evident in your presentation. Your portrayal of George Washington was informative and enlightening. And it was as if we were taken back in history and sitting in the same room with General MacArthur, listening to him speak.”
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Jim H. Bryan, President the Registry of Oklahoma City

“Your performance of Theodore Roosevelt was truly a bully performance. We enjoyed laughing at the brash bluster even as we responded to the depth of his passion for this country’s greatness. You disappeared into the character of TR so well, it took a few minutes after you removed the neckerchief to realize you were Gary Gray and not the former president.”
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Miriam E. Costilow, Choctaw County Arts Council

“Dr. Gray portrayed Teddy Roosevelt for the Cowboy Storytellers and all attending had very favorable comments. He held the audience’s attention for forty-five minutes. He is a ‘history’ person. I highly recommend him.”
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Robert L. Klemme,
Cowboy Storytellers of the Western Plains

“Dr. Gary Gray is a unique scholar with considerable talent who prides himself on authenticity and scholarship. He has presented five historical presidents over the past years and our audiences look forward to his presentation. He has the creative ability to involve the audience with the character in retrospect. His presentation of Teddy Roosevelt included references to Enid’s pioneer Frantz family. This made the whole presentation come alive for our local audience. I do heartily recommend him as a performer and a person.”
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Glenda B. Lamb,
Public Library of Enid and Garfield
County, OK

“You made President George Washington come to life rather than someone we read about. I have never seen children so intensely interested in this subject matter. I’m sure you have made a lasting impression on these children and one they will never forget.”
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Barbara J. Brown, Sr. American Heritage Chairman, the Oklahoma Society Children of the American Revolution

“You can find no one better qualified to interpret/impersonate President James Abram Garfield than Dr. Gary Gray. His resemblance to photos and the President’s tall stature is uncanny. Dr. Gray is articulate, dignified, speaks without notes and has accurate facts.”
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Margaret W. Lynch, Vice President, Moreland Hills Historical Society, Ohio

“Your informative portrayal of George Washington was excellent, and the students, as well as myself, enjoyed the program. Our school places a high priority on the teaching of history and government. We need teachers like you.”
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Ralph Bullard, Headmaster, Christian Heritage Academy, Oklahoma

“Among those of a certain age who remembered hearing General MacArthur’s speeches first hand, someone in the audience remarked, ‘He really nailed the speech patterns.’ It would seem that the General has not quite faded away.”
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Pat Hardin, President, Women’s Dinner Club of Oklahoma City

“I left your program feeling I had been at Mt. Vernon as George Washington was saying goodbye to the locals. I learned many little facets of his life and his dreams for America that I would not have known unless I had read his complete biography. I think every grade school student ought to have the opportunity to see this portrayal of President-elect Washington and those that succeeded him.”
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Joe McClendon, English Speaking Union

“I coordinated a Cub Scout den from Pack 29 (together with parents) attending Dr. Gray’s historical portrait of Thomas Jefferson. The boys, ages 7 through 9, were fascinated and excited. For many, this was a first time experience in participating with an historical figure that was previously little more than a name on a coin or reference in a school lesson. I simply wish to thank you for all you do to improve the quality of life for all citizens by bring history and the humanities up close.”
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C. L. Elliott, Attorney at Law

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