SHE WILL LEAD: WOMEN IN POLITICS to Make World Premiere at New Hampshire Theatre Project
By: BWW News Desk Oct. 03, 2016
The show plays Fridays & Saturdays @ 8 pm, Sundays @ 2 pm. General Admission $28, Students & Seniors $24. Performances run at the West End Studio Theatre, 959 Islington Street, Portsmouth. Reservations are highly recommended. Call 603-431-6644 ext. 5 or email: reservations@nhtheatreproject.org.
The 2016 election is historic for sure, but it's not the first time a woman has run for President of the United States. As election fever grips the nation, Claire - our millennial heroine - is in her apartment doing the laundry. Her fellow citizens are captivated, energized and mobilized about the election but Claire's attitude is: "I don't know. I don't care. I'm not voting." That is, until a letter from 1872 arrives declaring Victoria Woodhull's candidacy for president. Let loose your hold on reality, as the longest-running election campaign for the highest office in the land comes to a climactic close in Claire's living room on a cold Tuesday in November.
She Will Lead is a new absurdist adventure into political history, gender, and apathy. While exploring the prominent political speeches of Victoria Claflin Woodhull (candidate in 1870), Margaret Chase Smith (candidate in 1964) and Shirley Chisholm (candidate in 1972), She Will Lead looks at one woman's modern-day relationship to the world of politics, political parties and the people that vie for our votes. Using archival footage and verbatim text from millennial voters, this play immerses the audience in politics of the past and present.
Created and directed by Catherine Stewart, She Will Lead features local actors Dominique Salvacion and Jordan Formicelli. Following each performance, audience members will be invited to stay for an open discussion with the artistic collaborators focusing on: why we vote; voting rights, responsibilities and citizenship; and ways to inspire young voters to become more involved in civic leadership.
Why She Will Lead right now?
Millennials, the generation that came of age in the 2000s (18-34 year-olds), are far less likely to vote than previous generations according to the Pew Research Center. Even in 2008, when President Barack Obama brought out younger voters in droves, only 50% of eligible Millennials cast a ballot. In 2012, that number fell to 46%. Those startling figures led to the creation of She Will Lead. If less than 50% of any demographic is actively participating in the democratic system - how can their views, needs and rights be represented?
Younger Americans are typically less likely to vote than their parents and grandparents. But voter turnout among young adults often depends on more than just demographics, according to Pew. It is also affected by "the candidates, voter mobilization efforts, the state of the economy and satisfaction with the direction of the country."
?As much as this play represents the life and attitudes of one young apathetic voter, it also looks at the journey females have taken towards the highest office in the land. Director Catherine Stewart says: Asking questions about citizenship, participation, and equality, She Will Lead has not only been created to engage millennials, but also to offer Baby Boomers and Gen Xer's an insight into the voting minds of a generation that is often reduced to memes, gifs and emoticons.
IF YOU GO:
She Will Lead: Women in Politics
November 4-13, 2016
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8 pm, Sundays @ 2 pm
New Hampshire Theatre Project/WEST
Reservations are highly recommended.
Call 603-431-6644 ext. 5 or email reservations@nhtheatreproject.org
General Admission $28, Student/Seniors, $24
New Hampshire Theatre Project is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment for artists and community members to be inspired and transformed through the art of theatre. Now the sole tenants of West End Studio Theatre, NHTP is expanding their programming and is especially excited to support the work of emerging seacoast artists.
Pictured: Jordan Formicelli in She Will Lead. Photo by Catherine Stewart.
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