When I first came across Votes for Women! in October 2016, it looked like Americans would elect their first female president. My initial vision for this production, therefore, was a lively celebration of how far women’s rights have progressed in the past hundred years — from women voting to women voted into office.
I released the cast list on November 9, very much sobered by the previous night’s result; the tone of our production would have to shift from “look how far we’ve come” to “look how little has changed.”
More than ever, this is a timely play. While the cast and I have tried to grasp at what is fun and optimistic in it, we are also cognizant of how presciently it speaks to ongoing problems and debates: animosity toward women in politics, restrictions on women’s bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, poverty, elitism, the wage gap, and the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of public disturbances for political gain.
Featuring a cast of vibrantly imperfect characters and voicing a variety of conflicting arguments about the so-called “Woman Question,” Votes for Women! is food for thought and fuel for discussion. We hope you’ll keep the conversation going after our two hours are up.
— Hilary Ball, Director
Votes for Women! Event details:
Where: Graham House second floor, the Great Hall
When: Thursday March 16 through Saturday March 18, 8pm-10pm
Entry: By cash donation. All proceeds will go to Vancouver's Downtown Eastside Women's Centre
Snacks available for purchase at intermission