Gertrude Stein Never Enough

This essay centers around a solo performance, by the author, about Gertrude Stein (Gertrude Stein as Gertrude Stein). The performance, begun as part of a literary Chautauqua in 1993, illuminates Stein's life and work for general, educated audiences. The essay discusses: (1) key differences between performing one's own autobiography and performing an historical biography as a first‐person performance, (2) how performance becomes a method with which to understand and appreciate Stein as a woman and artist, (3) audience preconceptions and responses to the performance, and (4) the transformative possibilities of performance of Stein and her work through Chautauqua.