AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
We’ve covered Smithsonian scholar and actress Mary Ann Jung many times over the years as she’s recreated roles of history’s most impactful women. On learning she’ll appear locally in Arnold as astronaut Sally Ride at Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi’s upcoming summer camp from August 10-14, we were inspired to reconnect with her.
In what she describes as “her busiest year ever,” we met Jung over coffee in Annapolis for a fun and illuminating chat about her long career. Dressed in workout clothes, she’d just returned from directing a rehearsal for the upcoming Maryland Renaissance Festival which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. First though, we were curious to know what she’ll be doing at the upcoming summer camp.
Jing Ying Institute owners Nancy and Billy Greer wanted to add a new twist to this year’s summer camp program which includes Kung Fu and Lion Dance practice, crafts, music, tumbling and group games. Aware that NASA’s Space Program is back in the news thanks to its successful Artemis II crewed Lunar Flyby, they thought it would be exciting for the kids to explore what it’s like to be an astronaut as a science activity.
Since Jung appeared as Queen Elizabeth I at a homeschool event the Greers held several years ago, they knew kids really enjoyed her. They also were familiar with her many roles recreating historically important women from the past. Among them was Sally Ride, America’s first female astronaut – a role she has performed at the Kennedy Space Center and the National Air & Space Museum among other places.
“Mary Ann’s reenactments are so accurate, fun and interactive that we thought she’d be the perfect astronaut,” Nancy Greer said.
Indeed, Jung’s shows are always entertaining, but they also must tell the story of why a woman is important in context.
“In the case of Sally Ride, she became the first woman astronaut in 1983. At the time, they didn’t feel women were mentally or physically strong enough to be an astronaut, so I talk about the challenges involved for her… or anyone. Luckily, Sally was an athlete with a body strong enough to withstand the forces of gravity when leaving or reentering the earth’s atmosphere,” the actress said. “I play with my audience and turn the performance into a game show (with a choice of two answers) and ask them questions like ‘How do you go to the bathroom, how do you sleep in space, what clothes do you wear throughout the mission, or what foods are on the daily menu?'”.
Getting back to Jung’s amazingly long and varied career as an actress and historian, we asked her to start at the beginning.
We were meeting as the Maryland Renaissance Festival is about to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.
“I’ve been there for 47 years, so I am the veteran performer and director,” Mary Ann Jung said. “I started way back when the festival was held at Symphony Woods in Columbia, Maryland. When I was in college in 1980, I had a friend, Mike Moreland, who was a falconer. We’d heard about this new Renaissance thing getting started and he wondered if I might like to help. So, I told him I love Shakespearean language and history. He had no idea I was getting my degree in British history.
We were a perfect fit. Mike was delightful and loved his birds and talking about them but he wasn’t really a showman at the time whereas I’m a big ham who loves to play with the audience. So, I became the Festival’s Royal Falconress for seven years.”
Fresh faced and dewy eyed, as can be seen from the opening photo, she was nevertheless quite competent with the falcons.
When the Renaissance Festival moved to its current location in Crownsville, Jung took on more serious roles as the event became centered around the Court of Henry VIII and his six wives.
“I have been Ann Boleyn three times and beheaded. I’ve played Henry’s sixth wife Catherine Parr and I’ve played his sister, Queen Margaret of Scotland.
Jung also played Queen Juana of Spain paired with her husband Tom Plott (whom she met at the Festival) as Sheriff Drake Mansworth.
She’s also played Queen Claude of France and many other Royals. She knows the history of each and is competent with the respective dialects.
Twenty-five years ago, the Renaissance Festival director wanted the actors to come up with something new that would be fun for audiences. If characters had been part of the court, they should become villagers or vice versa. Thus, Jung did some research and came up with the versatile character Captain Jean, the Pirate Queen whom she has continued to play both at the festival and off-site for many years.
“At the festival, she’s Jean Cabot, the daughter of John Cabot the Explorer,” she said. “But at Chataqua and other events throughout the country, she’s Grace OMalley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland – a real female commander of a fleet of ships who faced down Queen Elizabeth’s fleet in 1593.”
For many years, Jung has simultaneously been the festival’s director of Renaissance language, Shakespearean language and Tudor history. Each year she trains the new casts, directs the court shows and help run the jousts (a favorite thing to do).
But, as alluded to before, she’s also spread her wings and taken her characters out into the world to a multitude of places near and far. She’s also appeared at many events and museums. She’s been a frequent guest at schools where we’ve previously observed and photographed her interacting with children which she does so well.
“It’s been 40 years since I began doing one-woman shows. I started with doing Queen Elizabeth I for school appearances. The character has been popular and I’ve taken her to broader audiences. I’ve played Queen Elizabeth, for example, at the Florida Renaissance Festival.”
At the urging of local teachers to come up with something else, Jung put on her scholar’s cap, did some research and came up with her Margaret Brent and the Indians show about the founding of Maryland.
The show focuses on the lesser-known early history of the Colony of Maryland featuring Brent who was Lord Baltimore’s cousin. Maryland’s first female lawyer and landowner, she settled in the new capital of St. Mary’s City and eventually became Lord Calvert’s executrix and Lord Baltimore’s attorney. She also interacted with the local Indians and became a guardian of seven-year-old Mary Kittamaquund, the daughter of the Piscataway Chief Tayac Kittimaquund.
Dedicated to accuracy in her portrayals of impactful women, Mary Ann Jung does not write a new show every season. She says it takes six months to a year to research and write a new script and figure out how to make it interactive. More recently, she’s moved forward in history a bit and added Amelia Earhardt and Julia Child to her repertoire among others.
Jung will be appearing as Amelia Earhardt at the Smithsonian Family Day celebration honoring America’s 250th Birthday at the Arts and Industries Building this Saturday, July 25th – an event that is free to the public.
Mary Ann’s favorite character is still Clara Barton, the great Civil War nurse who founded the Red Cross. She has had the honor of portraying her at various Civil War battlefields as well as at her historic house, the first Red Cross headquarters, in Glen Echo.
“All my women are pioneers who fought against prejudice but she’s my favorite because she saved lives,” Jung explained. “Clara Barton dodged bullets during the worst shooting in American history at Antietam saving lives while facing terrible bullying for being a woman on a battlefield. She fought for five years to get America to sign the Geneva Convention and join the Red Cross.”
Not surprisingly, her second favorite character is Rosy the Riveter from Willow Run, Michigan – one of thousands of Rosies. Willow Run, where the largest factory during World War II was located, turned out one aircraft a day. Through the character, Jung explains the work those women did, explains the posters and teaches the song.
Jung has just introduced her 13th show in honor of America’s 250th Anniversary portraying Martha Washington – a much-requested reenactment.
“I’ve been so honored to be invited as part of so many 250th Anniversary celebrations far and wide,” Jung said. “I appeared at the National Archives for the Spirit of Independence Festival in June and other prestigious shows and also at many wonderfully special small-town celebrations.”
Jung focused on Martha Washington because of her Revolutionary War service. She pointed out that people don’t realize how brave she was. Every winter for eight long years she risked her life and kidnapping attempts to be with George and to nurse the troops.
All seriousness, Jung expressed an opinion shared by many that you can’t overestimate how important teaching history to children and adults is.
“Since the pandemic, many of the schools more or less stopped teaching history. Whereas I was once in demand for appearances at schools, they all but stopped,” the historian turned actress explained. “The pandemic so affected demand for what I do that I almost gave it up which would have broken my heart. But this year business started building again for the semi sesquicentennial anniversary and I have more work than I’ve ever had in my life throughout the country.”
For the moment, Mary Ann Jung is happily keeping busy with appearances and with her responsibilities as a director. She’s looking forward to the opening of the 2026 Maryland Renaissance Festival on August 29th when she and husband Tom – the Renaissance Festival’s Performance Director and a main fight choreographer – will help celebrate the event’s 50th Anniversary.
To see more about Jung’s interactive shows, visit History Alive! Shows.
Self-Defense Workshop for College Students at Jing Ying Institute August 2nd
Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi invites college students to join them on Sunday, August 2nd for a Self-Defense workshop from 2 to 4 pm. With U.S. campuses facing new dangers these days, it is important that students learn how to avoid trouble. Instructor Billy Greer will help them develop a personal protection plan by discussing awareness and safe practices, by demonstrating and teaching simple but effective techniques for escaping an aggressor, and by showing them how to fight back. Greer’s emphasis is on learning simple principles that are easy to remember and apply, rather than focusing on more complex techniques that require lots of practice to master.
For more information, directions and to register, visit College Students – Personal Protection.
Also, keep in mind the aforementioned summer camp at Jing Ying Institute for children 5 to 11 years old being held August 10th thru 14th. For information, see Best Martial Arts Program in Annapolis, Severna Park.
A reminder: National Night Out to be held at Kinder Farm Park on August 4th
The Anne Arundel County Eastern District Police National Night Out will be held at Kinder Farm Park on Tuesday, August 4th from 6 to 8 pm.
AA County & Bowie Homeschool Fair at Severna Park Community Center August 21st
An Anne Arundel County and Bowie Homeschool & Extracurricular Activity Fair is being hosted by Macaroni Kid Pasadena on Friday, August 21 from 10 am to 1 pm at the Severna Park Community Center. Lots of local businesses with particular appeal for homeschoolers will be on hand. For information, email Laura at mackidpasadenamd@macaronikid.com.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. The school will be holding a fun-filled summer camp this August. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
