Charlie Hamilton James Engages Kansas City Youth in a Discussion about Conversation, Kindness, and Photography

The Kauffman Center’s 2017 National Geographic Live series is off to a great start! Besides boasting a sold-out theater for the evening lecture of I Bought a Rainforest, the Kauffman Center hosted more than 2,000 Kansas City students for two of Charlie Hamilton James’s matinee performances.

The award-winning conservation photojournalist took to the stage with only stories to tell, photos to share, and a mission to show his audience that caring more makes the world a better place. James recounted his misadventures to an enraptured audience that squealed with wonder every time the captivating picture on the screen changed. Featuring photos of bloodied vultures in Tanzania, playful otters in Yellowstone National Park, and the local people of Peru’s Manu National Park, James kept his young audience intrigued throughout the presentation. His sense of humor and British accent only added to the lecture.

“The stories and photos were spectacular, and Charlie was funny, very personable, and we just enjoyed it so much. When it was over I only wanted more!” gushed a very happy parent. “We are wildlife enthusiasts and photographers in our own backyard, and now we want to travel the world.”

The vultures and the otters were overwhelmingly popular with the young audience, and a number of James’s photos can be viewed here.

However, the human factor of the lecture seemed to hit home with everyone at the performance. James takes photos of amazing things, different cultures, and bizarre realities, but for him, “It’s how similar we all are that really interests me.”

The underlying message of conservation and cultural awareness was shared with the most appropriate and promising of audiences. James’s feelings about compassion and understanding resonated with many of the students in attendance.

“She was intrigued by the speaker’s story,” added a chaperone observing her student. “ It gave us a chance to discuss the idea of empathy and being able to appreciate differing opinions, and still holding onto your own deeply held convictions. She was fascinated. Mr. James gave her lots to think about!”

The Kauffman Center hopes that students left feeling empowered and, perhaps, eager to discover more about the natural world around them.

An accompanying teacher recalled, “One of my students said as she exited, ‘That was fantastic. If I didn’t already want to be a Nat Geo photographer, then that speaker just solidified it for me.  Bring on lice, I’ll shave my hair.  Malaria, I’ll medicate. Cold weather, I’ll survive.’  That blew my mind!”

The National Geographic Live series at the Kauffman Center will feature monthly lectures from various professionals associated with the acclaimed magazine. Matinees like the ones featuring Charlie Hamilton James are available to students of the Kansas City area through the Open Doors program; the program provides schools and youth in the area with access to high-quality arts and performances.

In expressing the impact these experiences have, an audience member from James’s lecture said, “The Open Doors Community Ticket program has expanded my children’s understanding of many important topics, giving them an experience not found in books or other materials. They are the highlight of our week (often highlight of the month), and we truly appreciate the opportunity.”

The next available matinee for the National Geographic Live series will be on April 4^th when the Kauffman Center hosts Anand Varma, a photographer who specializes in the miniature world all around us. There are still plenty of seats available! Varma’s Beauty and the Bizarre will surely encourage students to find wonder in the seemingly-weird.

More information on the Open Doors program can be found here.

Photo Credit: Jillian Shoptaw