Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

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Drama

What the Constitution Means to Me

by Heidi Schreck

This event has passed.
A bright photo of the American Constitution with a yellow overlay and a big navy splotch underneath it against a yellow background with indistinguishable cursive writing. A bright photo of the American Constitution with a yellow overlay and a big navy splotch underneath it against a yellow background with indistinguishable cursive writing.

She’s got some amendments.

Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human new play, she embodies her teenage self in order to trace the founding document’s profound impact on not just her own life, but the past four generations of women in her family, starting with the first to set foot in America: a mail-order bride. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee, this boundary-breaking play breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans.

Run time: ~1 hr, 40 min with no intermission

Content warning: While Heidi and her companions debate, they tackle tough subjects and use adult language. Expect thoughtful discussion on sexual and physical violence; murder; slavery; mental health and suicide; homophobia; and sex, sexuality, and abortion. Bring an open mind, be ready to participate, and get excited for an entertaining refresher on the Constitution!

You'll love this show if you love...

  • True blends of humor and drama that’ll leave you both laughing and thinking days later
  • Stories centered on femme experiences and the road to gender equality
  • Plays that incorporate the audience and create totally unique experiences that won’t be replicated night-to-night
  • Critically acclaimed, timely scripts that challenge big issues and ask big questions
  • No-holds-barred, clever dialogue with a stubborn dose of optimism
  • Learning both the good and bad of American history!

Similar ETC productions:

  • Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed and Nia Vardalos
  • When We Were Young and Unafraid by Sarah Treem
  • The Wolves by Sarah Delappe

 

Similar titles:

  • Parks and Rec (NBC)
  • Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
  • The West Wing (NBC)

Video

Watch the pop quiz video for What the Constitution Means to Me
Play Video
Watch the trailer for What the Constitution Means to Me
Play Video
Watch the cast interview for What the Constitution Means to Me
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Watch the video
Play Video

Photos

Reviews

“What the Constitution Means to Me is a timely piece of theater . . . It’s a call to action to all American citizens to be informed and engaged.” Talkin’ Broadway

“This is an important and thought-provoking show – and it is masterfully done.” — The Sappy Critic

Masthead_Constitution

Press

Cast

A photo of a middle-aged man with a fair skin tone and short-cropped gray hair smirking into the camera.

Phil Fiorini

Legionnaire/Mike
Phil Fiorini

Connan Morrissey

Heidi
Connan Morrissey
A photo of a young woman with a medium-dark skin tone and dark brown braids staring seriously into the camera

Sydni Charity Solomon

Debater
Sydni Charity Solomon

Annie Fitzpatrick

Heidi u/s
Annie Fitzpatrick

KG Rucker

Debater u/s
KG Rucker

Jordan Whittaker

Legionnaire/Mike u/s
Jordan Whittaker

Creative team

A white woman with wavy blonde hair in a bright red shirt smiling candidly towards something off camera.

Heidi Schreck

Playwright
Heidi Schreck
A photo of a man with fair skin and gray hair smirking at the camera

Brian Robertson

Director
Brian Robertson
A gray placeholder silhouette on a white background representing a person without headshot

Brian c. Mehring

Scenic & Lighting Designer
Brian c. Mehring
A photo of a middle-aged man with a fair skin tone and gray hair and a beard smiling at the camera.

Chad Phillips

Costume Designer
Chad Phillips
A photo of a man with fair skin and short-cropped light brown hair smiling at the camera.

Matthew Tibbs

Sound Designer
Matthew Tibbs

Kaitlin Barnett

Assistant Sound Designer
Kaitlin Barnett
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Shannon Rae Lutz

Properties Curator & Design Assistant
Shannon Rae Lutz
A photo of a young man with a fair skin tone and brown curly hair and a beard smiling at the camera

Jacob Dowell

Technical Director
Jacob Dowell

Chris Lipstreu

Associate Production Manager & Master Electrician
Chris Lipstreu
A gray placeholder silhouette on a white background representing a person without headshot

Margot Whitney

Production Stage Manager
Margot Whitney

Lexi Muller

Assistant Stage Manager
Lexi Muller

Events & accessiblity

Several people in theirs 20s and 30s around a restaurant table smiling at the cameraShow Up! Young Professionals Event

Saturday, September 16 at 2:00 pm

Join other Young Professionals (at a special YP price) for the performance then walk to a nearby bar or restaurant to mingle and discuss the show over discounted drinks and bites.


ETC Essentials

Sunday, September 24 at 1:00 pm

Take a cue frome the show and dive into a FREE conversation on depolorazing our oppositions, learning how to use our differences to find common ground, and having productive, non-partisan discourse. This starts an hour before show time, and registration is recommended.


""Meet the Artists

Thursday, September 21 at 7:30 pm | Sunday, September 24 at 2:00 pm

Stay after the show for a FREE post-show behind-the-scenes discussion with artists from the production.

 


American Sign LanguageASL-Interpreted Performance

Wednesday, September 27 at 7:30 pm

Interpreters perform a translation of the play into ASL alongside the performance in a position with great sightlines to see both the action of the play and the interpreters.

Ask for an assistive listening device at any performance from our box office.


Audio Described PerformanceAudio Described Performance

Saturday, September 30 at 2:00 pm

Patrons can use a headset for one ear to hear descriptions of key visual elements inserted into natural pauses in the show, allowing patrons to still hear dialogue, sound effects, and music.

Ask for large print or Braille playbills at any performance from our box office.


An old-fashioned microphone against a deep blue backgroundETC Cabaret | American Songbook

Saturday, September 30 at 10:00 pm

Join us for a late night musical treat of selections from the American Songbook, performed by some ETC favorites! Save your $20 seat to this after-hours cozy cabaret!

 

Photo credits | First Timer’s Guide, Brooke Steele in The Frog Princess; Ticket Info, Bryant Bentley, Burgess Byrd, and Leslie Goddard-Baum in Detroit ’67 (Mikki Schaffner); Subscriptions, Cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Ticket Discounts, Torie Wiggins in Your Negro Tour Guide. All images by Ryan Kurtz unless otherwise noted.