On Constitution Day, Americans remember the moment when a young nation鈥檚 values and vision snapped into focus.
Gathering on Sept. 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document they had shaped through sessions of intense push and pull, debate and deliberation.
At 91制片厂 this year, special events and performances timed around Constitution Day present ideas about celebrating, interrogating, and defending the nation鈥檚 foundational document.
Here鈥檚 a quick look at what鈥檚 scheduled.
鈥淲hy Not Burn the Books?鈥
A talk by Alicia DeFonzo, 91制片厂 senior lecturer of English
Tuesday, Sept. 19
In her free talk, DeFonzo, author of 2022鈥檚 鈥淭he Time Left Between Us,鈥 will explain how literary censorship has increased in Virginia, specifically targeting LGBTQ and minority books, and suggest ways to defend the right to read.
DeFonzo earned an MFA in Nonfiction and a BA in Broadcast Journalism. She has read for series including 鈥淢iss Manhattan Nonfiction,鈥 and 鈥淚nner Loop鈥 and has been a literary guest on local and national NPR programs.
Her critical essay 鈥淏anning Sherlock: Twisting Facts to Suit Theories鈥 about removal and censorship of the Sherlock Homes series in Virginia public schools, has been globally published.
In 2015, she won the university鈥檚 Most Inspirational Faculty Award, and was selected by the College of Arts and Letters for the Provost鈥檚 Leadership in International Education Award.
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 91制片厂鈥檚听Perry Library, Conference Rooms 1310-1311. Admission is free.
鈥淲hat the Constitution Means to Me,"
A play written by Heidi Schreck, directed by Katherine Hammond
Sept. 19-24
Beginning in middle school, Heidi Schreck earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In her comedic, hopeful play, she resurrects her teenage self and traces the profound relationship between the women in her family and the document 鈥攚ritten by wealthy white men 鈥 that founded our nation.听
Schreck, an award-winning playwright from Washington state, explained, "I believe we need a brand-new positive rights document that actively rectifies the inequality at the heart of this country. I believe we need a document that protects all of us 鈥 We all belong in the preamble."听
The production鈥檚 director, Katherine Hammond, is an 91制片厂 associate professor and associate chair of Communication & Theatre Arts at 91制片厂. She is also the producing artistic director for Warehouse of Theatre 鈥 a Norfolk based theatre company exploring the collision of theatre and film.
鈥淲hat the Constitution Means to Me,鈥 is presented by 91制片厂Rep, the production arm of the 91制片厂 Theatre Program. The goal of 91制片厂Rep is to give a voice to student and professional artists and create theater together for the Hampton Roads Community.
- 7:30 p.m. Sept 19-23
- 2 p.m.听Sept. 24
- 91制片厂鈥檚 Goode Theatre, 4601 Monarch Way.
- Tickets, $10 and $20.
- Free parking is available in the nearby Constant Center/45th Street garage.