What the Constitution Means to Me

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Ross Zentner

Colleen Madden (left) and Casem AbuLughod in "What the Constitution Means to Me."

Colleen Madden (left) and Casem AbuLughod in "What the Constitution Means to Me," Forward Theater, 2024.

This drama, already a modern American classic, was written by Heidi Schreck. What the Constitution Means to Me follows Schreck from her past as an idealistic, politically engaged teen to the present day, when her relationship with the United States has become a lot more complicated. The role is performed for Forward Theater by APT favorite Colleen Madden; it is in great hands. Read Jason Compton's review here. As of midweek, only a few tickets remained for the final shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

4/4-21, Playhouse, at 7:30 pm Wednesday-Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, plus 2 pm, 4/13 & 20.

media release: For their final production of the 2023-24 season, Forward Theater Company will present What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck. Directed by Jen Uphoff Gray. Performances are in the Playhouse at Overture Center for the Arts, April 4-21. This production completes Forward’s 15th anniversary celebration.

THE STORY

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. Wisconsin favorite Colleen Madden steps into Heidi’s shoes to ask us what this living document means to us— and what it means to be an American.

What the Constitution Means to Me features Colleen Madden (American Players Theatre company member), Casem AbuLughod (Forward Theater Advisory Company member, last seen in Russian Troll Farm – A Workplace Comedy at Forward Theater), Alliae Krueger, and Caroline Talis.

Pre-show lectures are offered in-person in the Playhouse lobby, Thursdays at 6:30pm and Sundays at 1:00pm during the performance run.Artistic Associate Marcella Kearns explores the themes and inner-workings of our production in the digital version of our popular pre-show lectures. Get an inside look at Forward Theater's production design and the creative process behind this funny and affecting play.

We are thrilled to welcome Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky to our Friday, April 12, performance of What the Constitution Means to Me! Justice Karofsky will also join us after the show during our nightly post-show talkback. 

This special appearance is thanks to our partnership with the American Constitution Society, a non-profit whose mission is to support and advocate for laws and legal systems that redress the founding failures of our Constitution, strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and realize the promise of equality for all. The ACS also helped us obtain over 4,000 pocket constitutions for the run of this show!

Scenic Designer: Lisa Schlenker

Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack

Costume Designer: Ren LaDassor

Composer/Sound Designer: Joe Cerqua

Props Master: Pam Miles

Technical Director: Kevin Zimmer

Stage Manager: Rivka Kelly

Asst. Stage Manager: Abbi Hess

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased online at forwardtheater.com, or via overture.org. Tickets start at $34, and can be purchased via phone at 608.258.4141. Discounts available. An ASL-Interpreted performance will be presented on Saturday, 4/20 at 2pm.

Adults: $34-$52

Artist rate: $20 | Student rate: $15

Thursday, January 25 preview performance ticket prices - General public: $20,

Students/Educators: $10

SPONSORS

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is generously sponsored by Katie Dowling-Marcus & Ben Marcus, DeWitt LLC, and The Cap Times.