Philly's VOICES OF VOTING Adds Election-Eve Performances
Over the summer of 2016 during the Democratic National Convention, Committee of Seventy, the civic engagement advocacy group, commissioned a new play called "Voices of Voting" written by David Bradley with music by Ill Doots. They performed the work for teen and young adult audiences for free several times during the DNC week in Philly, and it spoke directly to the lack of local civic engagement in local and national elections. The performances reached over 1,000 youth in three days. The play in part addresses the hurdles of the Civil Rights movement as it relates to voting.
After each performance, Committee of Seventy staff wereon hand to recruit what they call "Election Ambassadors," or individuals who can assist during the election process. In short, they were able to recruit and reach youth from some areas that would normally never even vote, never mind become voting advocacy leaders.
The concept was such a huge success that Seventy is bringing the show back for one day, November 7, 2016, for four performances. They are hoping to touch over 800 Philly youth with the show next week at the Enterprise Center (Enterprise Center - 4548 Market St in Philadelphia).
Three young actors play more than a dozen characters in a nonpartisan event full of audience participation and live music. A brief "talkback" session follows the 35-minute performance, challenging the audience to reflect on their own citizenship by considering the courage of the previous generation, which fought so mightily to attain this fundamental right.
Catch one of four performances on Monday, November 7th: 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (we'll have food at the evening performance) at Enterprise Center - 4548 Market St in Philadelphia (easily accessible via SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line at the 46th St.Station). Admission is FREE but reservations are required. For more information and to reserve tickets, email voicesofvoting@seventy.org.
"Voices of Voting" is co-sponsored by the Committee of Seventy and the Philadelphia Foundation.
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