Frank will act, speak and write for you.
"Tremendous! A grin plastered to my face like so much cement!"
- Alexis Soloski, The New York Times
"Frank Marquette blends history, humor and enthusiasm in an unparalleled style."
- Time Out Magazine
Living History Lectures
Frank's storytelling makes history more pleasing, accessible, and memorable for you. He provides a tangible, interactive and entertaining, and personal connection to the past. Frank embodies historic figures in costume and personality and engages with his audiences.
Workshops
Acting and writing are journeys best traveled together! Frank's workshops are your gateway to connecting with kindred spirits who share your passions. By sharing your stories and experiences with fellow creatives, you'll find that mutual encouragement and support flourish in an uplifting atmosphere. Join Frank's delightful classes, "Writing a Murder Mystery for Fun and Profit," and "Acting Up: Beyond the Fourth Wall". Immerse yourself in a thrilling ninety-minute adventure that has inspired countless others. Embrace these opportunities to spark your imagination, foster connections, and take bold steps toward achieving your dreams!
Event Hosting
Whether you are organizing a private celebration, a fundraising event, or a corporate gathering, it is essential to secure entertainment that is both innovative and captivating. Frank specializes in delivering such experiences; as your emcee, he can introduce entertainers who excel in both comedy and music. We invite you to reach out to Frank today to discuss your concept, desired theme, and to obtain a pricing estimate.
THE POWER OF WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES
How can I experience one of Frank’s presentations?
If you have a community room on site, Frank will come to you. He has performed in classrooms, auditoriums, libraries, historic sites, theaters, banquet rooms and outside under pavilions. Whether your group is 20 or 200, Frank will accommodate you. And if you need a recommendation for a venue, let Frank know that as well.
How to write a murder mystery for fun and profit.
An interactive workshop for writers, actors and directors on how to create a murder mystery event for school fundraisers and student community service.
(Full participation, intermediate – advanced level)
Every dark and rainy night there’s an audience enjoying a live, comedy murder-mystery. The action is a mix of improv, stand-up and legitimate theater – performed without a fourth wall. Learn how you can create a smart and funny whodunit from your page to the stage, construct a plot, build strong characters, engage the audience and hold a room spellbound. The exercises will encourage creativity, and ensemble work. You’ll also learn how to produce your show without a budget and with the help of your community.
Living History Lectures
Since 2015, Frank has passionately crafted and delivered an inspiring array of history lectures, each one meticulously researched to offer you more than just information—he provides an experience! With captivating illustrations and stunning photographs, Frank’s presentations are designed not only to engage your mind but also to ignite your curiosity and spark your imagination.
Acting Up
A cool workshop for present and future actors.
Congratulations, you’re an actor. That makes you a student of life, open to all techniques and approaches. Good, we’re almost there. I’m asking you, dare I say I’m telling you?, to invest two hours of your time to learn how to unclog, unthink and unadult. Two of those aren’t even words but you get my point, right?
In Frank's playground you’re going to learn how to love your fear, create a character, tear down walls, throw yourself on an audience, own the room, pause, listen and play, and he means play!, – all by reconnecting with your inner nine year old.
Don’t Forget the Kids!
They're witty, clever, and a whole lot of fun; they spill the beans without a second thought!
For the past five years, Frank has been delighting school groups and young kids with his creative takes on classic books and stories. Every summer, you can catch him bringing beloved children's tales to life at the Mohonk Mountain House's Kids' Club. Frank has a special knack for sharing meaningful messages in a fun and engaging way that keeps everyone smiling!
Frank's Profile, Passion and Mission
Frank was born New York City but grew up in mid-town Kingston, New York. He attended Brigham School, graduated from St. Joseph’s School and Kingston High School. He attended Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie and the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He had a long career in graphics and marketing in the printing and newspaper industries while acting with variety of theatre companies in New York, Nevada and New Mexico. In addition, Frank has produced, written and emceed variety shows for many charitable causes. He has written and performed for resorts, hotels, historical societies and historic sites throughout the Hudson Valley.
Frank's on camera work has included national commercials for Konica, a featured role on "Unsolved Mysteries", dozens of local and regional commercials and a key role in the PBS original production, "The Greatest Man in the World". His last television appearance was on an episode of the Amazon Prime hit series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
As the owner-operator of Theatre on the Road and Murder Cafe, both based in the Hudson Valley, Frank, along with his wife and partner Kristen, has written and produced a number of original plays including, “Whiskey Women”, “Poe’s Last Mystery”, “Kingston: Voices from the Past”, “A Haunting at the Vanderbilt” and a dinner theater version of Dickens’ “ A Christmas Carol” which is in its 25th year. Since 2017 Frank has written and produced Mohonk Mountain House's annual Mystery Weekend.
In 2025 Frank’s troupe performed 55 murder mysteries, 12 Christmas Carols shows and 11 performances of Dracula . In addition, Frank lectures regularly at Mohonk Mountain House. His topics are “Ghost Stories of the Hudson Valley” and “The Bootleg Era in the Hudson Valley”.
Last year Frank's memoir, The True Story of Murder: How One Family's Plunge into Mystery Dinner Theatre Made the World a Better Place, was published.
Get in touch.
Got questions? If you're curious about one of Frank's programs for your school, historic site, library, community center, theater, or resort, just shoot him an email today! He'd love to chat about his availability and the fees for workshops and performances. Together, we can find the perfect fit for you and your guests. Everyone is sure to enjoy it!
845.475.7973