Plays for Women!: A collection of overlooked suffrage plays
An ongoing staged reading series, For Your (Re)Consideration explores the works of historically overlooked female writers. Featuring a variety of distinct voices and styles from different historical periods, the readings seek to bring attention to these remarkable women who have been sidelined by history for reasons that had nothing to do with their talent and everything to do with their gender and, in many cases, their race.
In 2024, Ghostlight Ensemble presents Plays for Women!: A collection of overlooked suffrage plays — a reading of short suffrage works, most of them largely unknown and rarely performed, to coincide with March as Women’s History Month. This is a co-production with the Richard H. Driehaus Museum.
The short works that make up Plays for Women! are:
Something to Vote For by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
A short play by the famed American feminist author that follows a women’s club meeting whose members must face real-world implications and consequences when women are denied a voice in policy making and government. The play touches on issues of feminism, as well as classism, capitalism and consumerism that are still relevant today. Cast: Maria Burnham as Dr. Strong, Sera Young as Mrs. Carroll, Juliana Zepeda as Mrs. Reedway, Sydney Ray as Mrs. O’Shane, Jessye Mueller as Mr. Arnold, Christine Marie as Mr. Billings and Squeek Rangel and Holly Robison as miscellaneous additional committee women.An Anti-Suffragist or the Other Side by H.M. Paull
A hilarious, absurd, satirical monologue from a privileged young lady who looks to be active in the anti-suffrage movement. She attempts to persuade the audience to her side but in actuality, makes a deeply comical and revealing argument against herself. Cast: Maria Burnham as Chairwoman and Holly Robison as Miss De Lacey.The Mother’s Meeting by Mrs. Harlow Phibbs
Another comic monologue, but this one is delivered from a working-class character who pokes holes in the anti-suffrage arguments made by upper and middle-class women of privilege. The woman inadvertently attends an anti-suffrage meeting and recounts how she ultimately makes a resounding speech in favor of suffrage and women’s rights. Cast: Squeek Rangel as Mrs. Puckle.Lady Geraldine’s Speech by Beatrice Harraden
A comic short play about the troubles of Lady Geraldine, who agrees to give an anti-suffrage speech despite never having contemplated the issue seriously. She seeks out the help of her friend. At the home of this friend Lady Geraldine encounters women of multiple professions that she admires who convince her of the merits of the suffragist movement. Cast: Juliana Zepeda as Lady Geraldine, Jessye Mueller as Dr. Alice, Maria Burnham as Gertrude Silberthwaite, Sydney Ray as Nora Baillie, Christine Marie as Hilda Crowninshield and Sera Young as Nellie Grant.
The reading runs about 90 minutes with an intermission. A brief talkback will follow. Click here for tickets.
Details
Where: The Nickerson Ballroom at the Richard H. Driehaus Museum
(40 East Erie St., Chicago, IL 60611)
Please note: Due to ongoing renovations, there is NO ELEVATOR available to the Nickerson Ballroom.
When: Wednesday, March 6, 2024
What time: 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 pm.
How much: General Audience: $40 || Driehaus Museum Members: $35 || Students: $20