Skip to content

What the Constitution Means to Me

April 4–21, 2024

WRITTEN BY Heidi Schreck

DIRECTED BY Jen Uphoff Gray

GET TICKETS

“Endearingly funny and deeply affecting… It would be hard to identify a work for the theater with its finger more on the pulse of America right now.”
— THE WASHINGTON POST

A new look into what it means to be an American

As a teen, Heidi Schreck won scholarships for college by participating in Constitutional debate competitions. Now, she cannot help but weigh the earnest study, idealism, and hopeful wisdom of her youth against the complexities of being a citizen and a woman in the United States in the 21st century. Join Wisconsin favorite Colleen Madden as she steps into Heidi’s shoes to ask us what this living document means to us— and what it means to be an American.

Overture Center
for the Arts

201 State St,
Madison, WI 53703

GET TICKETS

PLAN VISIT

VIEW PLAYBILL

About the show

Runtime:
1 hr, 45 min

Performance Dates:
April 4-21, 2024

Age Recommendations:
Recommended for ages 16+

Accessibility

We strive to make our performances available to the entire community. This guiding principle captures the theater we aim to be.

We’re proud to be a resident company at Overture Center, which provides practical accessibility for a variety of needs.

Visit accessibility page >

Cast
Colleen Madden
Heidi
Casem AbuLughod
Legionnaire/Danny
Alliae Krueger
Debater
Caroline Talis
Debater
Creative Team
Lisa Schlenker
Scenic Designer
Noele Stollmack
Lighting Designer
Ren LaDassor
Costume Designer
Joe Cerqua
Sound Designer/Composer
Pam Miles
Props Master
Kevin Zimmer
Technical Director
Rivka Kelly
Stage Manager
Abbi Hess
Assistant Stage Manager
Orion Risk
Assistant Director
Behind the scenes of WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, featuring an interview with artists Colleen Madden, Casem AbuLughod, and Director Jen Uphoff Gray.
A behind the scenes look at Colleen Madden, deep in the creative process of WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME by Heidi Schreck.

 

What the Constitution Means is funny and thought-provoking

BY Victoria Davis | THE CAP TIMES

Teen debaters take on What the Constitution Means in 2024

BY Kayla Huynh | THE CAP TIMES

Local high school students debate Constitution in upcoming Forward play

BY Abbey Machtig | THE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL

We the People (Dramaturgical Essay)

BY Mike Fischer | MADISON365

 

Artistic Associate Marcella Kearns explores the themes and inner-workings of our production of WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME by Heidi Schreck. Get an inside look at Forward Theater's production design and the creative process behind this funny and affecting play.

More from this season

The Garbologists
Sept 7–24, 2023
LEARN MORE
Clyde's
Nov 2-19, 2023
LEARN MORE
The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk
Jan 25–Feb 11, 2024
LEARN MORE
Wisconsin Wrights New Play Festival
May 16-18, 2024 | 7:30pm
LEARN MORE