What the Constitution Means to Me is a one-woman play written and performed by Heidi Schreck. The performance is partly a tribute to her late mother, who was a lawyer fighting for women's rights. It also explores the history of the US Constitution and its impact on American society, particularly on women.
The play begins with Schreck sharing her personal experience of competing in constitutional debates as a teenager and winning enough prize money to pay for her college tuition. She then delves into the history of the Constitution, exploring the contradictions and biases within the document, and how they have affected women's rights over the years.
Schreck also shares personal stories of her family, including her great-great-grandmother, who was forced into a marriage as a teenager, and her mother, who fought tirelessly for women's reproductive rights. Through her family's history and her own experiences, Schreck offers a powerful critique of the US Constitution, highlighting its shortcomings but also recognizing its potential for change.
The play is often funny, emotional, and thought-provoking, engaging with complex issues of gender, race, and power. It has been praised for its innovative approach to storytelling and its ability to weave together personal and political narratives. What the Constitution Means to Me premiered Off-Broadway in 2018 and has since toured across the US.