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9-year-old Martin Lahman portraying Grand Canyon explorer John Wesley Powell. The youngest Young Chautauquan performing at the 16th annual High Plains Chautauqua, the fourth-grader got his start at the age of 6. For his performance, Lahman sports bushy sideburns glued to his face, and a jacket slightly too large in order to accommodate his right arm. That’s because it’s tucked inside to give the illusion of a missing appendage. John Wesley Powell lost his arm in the Civil War. Already a veteran of the dramatic stage before joining Young Chautauqua, Lahman said performing in front of an audience is usually not a problem. But at the last Chautauqua, he qualified to perform at the main event in the big tent – with its equally big crowds.

9-year-old Martin Lahman portraying Grand Canyon explorer John Wesley Powell. The youngest Young Chautauquan performing at the 16th annual High Plains Chautauqua, the fourth-grader got his start at the age of 6.

For his performance, Lahman sports bushy sideburns glued to his face, and a jacket slightly too large in order to accommodate his right arm. That’s because it’s tucked inside to give the illusion of a missing appendage. John Wesley Powell lost his arm in the Civil War.

Already a veteran of the dramatic stage before joining Young Chautauqua, Lahman said performing in front of an audience is usually not a problem. But at the last Chautauqua, he qualified to perform at the main event in the big tent – with its equally big crowds.