The Activists, an original devised theatre work created by Meredith College students to celebrate the history of the Women's Suffrage movement. The performance was recorded and made available online in keeping with guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In the devised model, a theatre company begins without a script and follows a five step process of research, creation, development, rehearsal, and performance to produce a new work.
The Activists was produced during the Spring 2020 semester as part of Meredith’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. The show was written by Meredith students, under the guidance of Meredith alumna and adjunct instructor Lormarev Jones, who served as the lead deviser.
“Our goal in producing this new work, using the devised approach to create theatre, is to support both the celebration of the 19th amendment as well as the School of Arts & Humanities' 2019-20 theme of Activism, Then & Now,” said Professor of Theatre Catherine Rodgers, who directed The Activists. “This will expose our students to a new genre of theatre-making and hopefully bring to life previously unvoiced women's stories in our nation's history.”
The co-sponsor of this production is the League of Women Voters of Wake County. The piece features historical suffragist figures, current feminists, and students from the past and present day. The production focuses on the fight for a woman's right to vote and discusses the unfair treatment of black women who were not included in the 1920 amendment. The Activists also explores the fight to pass the Equal Rights Amendment beginning in the 1970s.
Learn more about this production on the Meredith Ensemble Theatre Facebook page
The Friends of the Carlyle Campbell Library
presents
The Activists
followed by a panel discussion
Click Here to Watch the Recording
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you want to learn more about Meredith and the suffrage movement, please join us on Wednesday, November 18th for a webinar on Collecting Women's Histories:
Professor of Theatre and Director of The Activists
Associate Professor of History
Laura Austin
Laura is a senior Theatre major and English minor from Garner, NC. She has been featured in several Meredith College Theatre productions including Julius Caesar, Company, Boston Marriage, Ms. Courageous: Women of Science, Marie Antoinette, and The Duchess Mislaid to name a few. Laura hopes to be attending graduate school next year to obtain her MFA in Directing.
Vivian Porch
Vivian is a senior Theatre major working towards a minor in Psychology. She has directed and acted in several Meredith College Theatre shows, from The Duchess Mislaid, to She Kills Monsters to last spring's Julius Caesar. Vivian aspires to attend graduate school in the near future to obtain her MFA in Directing.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532
