If you’re examining what it means to be an American today, What the Constitution Means to Me will feel especially important in today’s divided political climate. In the heart of Westchester, the play blends personal narratives with political discourse while creating an intimate experience that captivates audiences. The play touches on a broad range of issues including women’s rights, sexual orientation, mental health, immigration, and maternity in the United States. The play is not meant to change the viewer’s mind one way or another, but to encourage dialogue. Given the award for Best New American Play at the Obie Awards, What the Constitution Means to Me opens at Rivertowns Playhouse in Irvington on July 12.
Crafting a Relatable and Timely Narration
Emma Shafer, director of What the Constitution Means to Me, and Rachel Gatewood, lead actor and producer of the production, had been working together on a project in New York City in 2022 when Gatewood says she remembers watching What the Constitution Means to Me the day Roe v. Wade was overturned.
“It’s one of the only pieces of theater that I think really addresses the difficulty or confliction of what it can feel like to be an American in the past 10 or 15 years, which is this hope along with disappointment and how you grapple and make sense of it. What rights do you really have and what rights do you have to fight for and where do you direct that energy?” Gatewood says.
While working on a production at Rivertowns Playhouse, she recalls how the playhouse’s artistic director Kamran Saliani mentioned wanting to produce What the Constitution Means to Me. Gatewood felt very enthusiastic about the idea and noted that the play should be directed by a woman. From there, Shafer joined Gatewood in producing the show at the theater.
Origins of What the Constitution Means to Me
What the Constitution Means to Me is a semi-autobiographical play by Heidi Schreck that is based on the lives of three generations of women in her family (her grandmother, mother, and herself) and how the Constitution has personally impacted their lives. It addresses issues such as personal accounts of domestic violence, depression, immigration, and caregiving. The conception of the play began when, at age 15, Schreck traveled the U.S. in American Legion Constitution speech contests defending the Constitution and winning money to help pay for college. The play frequently re-enacts these speeches on stage.
The play, which was written about 10 years ago, finished in 2016/2017 and opened on Broadway in 2019. Since then, it has been nominated for two Tony awards, become a Pulitzer Prize finalist in drama, and won an Obie Award for Best New American Play.
The Purpose and Theme of the Play
“The play is meant to uncover, to reckon, and to imagine” Shafer says. While it explores intense themes relating to women’s, LGBTQ, and immigrant rights, it does not seek to change your mind on a given issue but instead aims to spark discussion.
Gatewood says she hopes people leave feeling like they understand how to better engage in a conversation about issues they might not agree upon. To help, she and her team are even promoting a discussion about the constitution in the town of Irvington by having people write down (anonymously if they wish) what they like or dislike about the Constitution and how they feel about these issues.
“You can read how your neighbors are feeling about a given issue and maybe, because you’ve heard these stories from a woman’s perspective, maybe for the first time, maybe it’s reaffirming. Then you see how your neighbor has been affected, and you see that there are community resources there that are free and available. How will that change you?” Gatewood remarks.
Thomas Jefferson is famously quoted for saying, “Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind… As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed… institutions must advance also and keep pace with the times.” Gatewood notes that this has inspired her own reckoning and inner debate as to how the Constitution should be interpreted and if it should be reconstructed.
“It ignites this quest of how I can become a better citizen,” Shafer adds in relation to the play. “What do I need to do? I’m calling my reps weekly, and that’s a large part of being involved in this play. I’m trying to make sure my community is registered to vote and making sure they know where to go to the polls. I’m having conversations with my family, and it’s been such an inspiration. What does that amendment really mean? Let me go read more about that.”
Production Design and Community Partnerships
What the Constitution Means to Me will be featured in an intimate setting at Rivertowns Playhouse and New Rochelle’s Hudson Park. Both Shafer and Gatewood are glad to be working in Westchester as opposed to an urban area.
“It is such a beautiful location outside. Fireflies can be seen in the middle of the night, and a church bell will go off while we’re telling a story. It’s been a really healing experience for us, so we’re just excited to feel like we can give something back” Gatewood says. Local businesses in Irvington and other nonprofit organizations like The LOFT LBGBTQ+ Community Center, Planned Parenthood, National Domestic Violence Hotline, and Neighbor’s Link, the latter which offers education and empowerment programs for immigrants, have teamed up with the production to help spread the word.
After each performance, there will be a “Preamble Party,” a free post-show event with free food and beverages donated by Irvington businesses with the idea of fostering community and important discussions about the show. Resources will also be provided by Spotlight Partners.
For those interested in embarking on this journey, previews begin July 5, 6, 11, and 12. Performances run from July 12-27, and tickets are free. For more information, visit rivplayhouse.org.
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