New Play and Community Programs at Old South Meeting House
For Immediate Release: Friday, September 16, 2022
Contact: Amanda Bertone
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BOSTON — Revolutionary Spaces and Mass NOW have partnered to present Representation and How to Get It, a new play about Julia Ward Howe, author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Running from Wednesday, September 28th through Friday, September 30th at Old South Meeting House. Each evening will include a presentation of the play followed by a unique post-performance program featuring some of Boston’s most celebrated civic leaders, trailblazing representatives, and award-winning artists and performers. This event is free and open to the public, made possible by the support of The Boston Foundation’s New England Women’s Club Fund.
A collaboration between Boston-based playwright Joyce Van Dyke, director Judy Braha, and performer Elaine Vaan Hogue, Representation and How to Get It tells the story of Ward Howe’s fight for women’s suffrage. She was also a community leader whose efforts preserved the Old South Meeting House after the congregation had moved.
On Wednesday, September 28th, the performance will be followed by panel discussion about the past, present, and future of female-identifying persons’ roles in civic life and the unfinished struggle for representation. Moderated by Revolutionary Spaces Executive Vice President of Museum Experience Anne Freeh Engel, the panel will feature Mass NOW Executive Director Sasha Goodfriend, Wilnelia Rivera, Marty Walz, and Mary-dith Tuitt.
On Thursday, September 29th, the post-performance program will include a fireside chat between Mass NOW Executive Director Sasha Goodfriend and Massachusetts State Senator Lydia Edwards, exploring representation in action.
On Friday, September 30th, the performance will be followed by a celebration in honor of women, poets, and Julia Ward Howe. This evening will feature performances from Boston poets, storytellers, and cultural changemakers, including Amanda Shea, Princess Moon, Valerie Stevens, and Krysten Hill, and music by DJ WhySham.
Doors will open at 6:30 PM and the performance will begin at 7:00 PM each evening. A reception will take place after the panel discussion, fireside chat, and poetry and music performance for attendees to interact with other guests. Drinks and light bites will be provided. Registration for this program is encouraged. Old South Meeting House is located at 310 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. For more information, please visit www.revolutionaryspaces.org or www.massnow.org.
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ABOUT REVOLUTIONARY SPACES
Revolutionary Spaces stewards the historic Old South Meeting House and Old State House as landmarks, museums, and gathering spaces for the open exchange of ideas and the continuing practice of democracy. Viewing history as a powerful tool for today, Revolutionary Spaces brings people together to explore the American struggle to create and sustain a free society.
About the Old State House: The 1713 Old State House served as the seat of government for the province of Massachusetts during the Revolutionary era. Today, it is a museum and historic site offering tours, exhibits, and public programs exploring Boston’s Revolutionary-era history.
About the Old South Meeting House: The 1729 Old South Meeting House was a Congregational church and the largest gathering place for popular politics in Revolutionary Boston. Today it is a busy museum, treasured landmark, and active center for civic dialogue and free expression.
ABOUT MASS NOW
Since 1968 Mass NOW has been advancing intersectional justice and feminist principles in the Commonwealth. Today, Mass NOW is still one of the leading multi-issue, multi-strategy feminist organizations in the Commonwealth. Mass NOW is a member-led organization, bringing together over three thousand members across the Commonwealth. Made up of three distinct branches, the Mass NOW Foundation, which works to educate the community about issues facing women and girls; Mass NOW Inc, which lobbies elected officials and community activists for legislation that supports equality; and the Mass NOW PAC, which works to get feminist candidates elected to help ensure a progressive and feminist legislature—this historic organization is pursuing equity, acting for justice, and building intersectional feminism in Massachusetts.
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