A smart 15-year-old girl learns about the Constitution of the United States of America as she debates at the American Legion to earn money for college.  Years later, Heidi tells us what she learned as that 15 years old in “What the Constitution Means to Me.”

~Review and Photos by Dana Nöllsch~

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The Story of “What the Constitution Means to Me“

What the Constitution Means to Me is Heidi Schreck’s story as a 15-year-old, debating the Constitution to earn money for college. As she learned about the Constitution and her own family’s history, she made connections that tell of the United States history regarding equality, or the lack thereof.

This is not a patriotic story. Rather, it examines some uncomfortable truths about America’s past and, more importantly, explores how our communities responded to inequality. Spoiler alert! The United States Government did not do a good job.

Heidi is now older as she recalls the time as a young girl participating in those debates, and participating extremely well, and what she learned about the women in her family history. Now you may ask what the women in her family have to do with the Constitution of the United States of America. Well, she finds that the Constitution, written by white Christian men, did not support the safety of some of the most vulnerable members of our society: women, young children, and people of color.

As you watch What the Constitution Means to Me, you will see Heidi reenact a debate at the American Legion, using history to make her points. This is not  Schoolhouse Rock; What the Constitution Means to Me is a lesson in the truths many don’t want to hear.

After Heidi tells of the debate and reenacts one of her past debates, she is presented with another debater to take opposite sides on whether the Constitution should be rewritten or not. This is a fascinating interaction that has a conclusion you may not expect.

The story is written to grab your attention and keep you engaged, while also exposing you to the atrocities of the past. Though there are a few funny moments, What the Constitution Means to Me is a deeply emotional play that is both upsetting and eye-opening.

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Here are some Photos to give you a taste of “What the Constitution Means to Me.”

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What about the Performances?

It is obvious that the cast is quite passionate about What the Constitution Means to Me, as at times I could see them tearing up with emotion.

Mary Bennett delivers a remarkable performance as Heidi, both the 15-year-old who is in the midst of discovery and debate and the 30-year-old remembering her past.

Derek Sullivan, playing Mike, the leader of the debate, has the opportunity to show a soft side of man, both strong and yielding, as he mans the timer and opens up his emotions for the audience.

Alex Garcia -Tapungot, who plays Heidi‘s competition in the final debate, has an intelligent, strong presence that will make you stand up and take notice. Alex is remarkable, and I look forward to seeing more of them on stage.

These actors are bonded on stage by the direction of Stacey Spain, who, even though not on stage, helps to tell this powerful story.

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The Set

What the Constitution Means to Me plays on Bruka Theatre’s Sub Bruka stage.

If you have been to Bruka Theatre, you know what I’m talking about, but if you haven’t, Sub Bruka is located downstairs and is a small, very intimate setting. This is the perfect setting for such a deep emotional story, where the actors make that emotional connection with the audience much easier in the intimate setting of Sub Bruka.

With various American Legion paraphernalia hanging on the wall and an American Flag large and conspicuous on stage, the setting feels just right for the story being told.

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The Bottom Line

What the Constitution Means to Me is definitely not a feel-good play. Well, actually, actually learning about the past, even in its darkest days, is a good thing, like George Santayana said, “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” And there certainly are many aspects of history that we do not want to repeat, especially if we’re trying to move forward as a society.

So I do have to say after digesting the story and coming to grips with it in my own head I am very happy that I saw What the Constitution Means to Me, and I do recommend anybody who wants to have a deeper understanding of where our society was in respect to where our society is going now, to watch this play and even take some time and do some research and learn a little bit about the history of your family.

Be forewarned, What the Constitution Means to Me has talk of violence, especially violence against women and children, sexual subjects, and a focus on one of the dark errors of American history.

Even though there are triggers, I suggest you don’t shy away from opening your mind and listening to the lesson that What the Constitution Means to Me offers, as well as enjoying these wonderful actors who put it all out there on stage to tell this important story.

And that’s the bottom line.

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What the Constitution Means to Me

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