What the Constitution Means to Me at Stage West
“What The Constitution Means to Me,” written by Heidi Schreck (2017), introduces her 15-year-old self and her love for the Constitution, exploring how it relates to her family history and its impact on the country. In this interpretation of the play, Stage West brings to life a conversation inviting us to engage directly with the opinions presented on stage, offering a glimpse into the minds of both the characters and the actors portraying them.
We are greeted by a large American flag, surrounded by pictures of veterans. A table stands on each side, with a podium at the center and two small spaces on the left and right. Leah Mazur’s set design and Lynn Lovett’s set decor showcase patriotism at its finest. While we wait to take our seats, a man dressed as a soldier walks onto the stage, grabs some coffee, and exits backstage. In my opinion, this is our first clue about the nature of the play we’re about to see—a production where the actors aren’t separated from the audience but rather aim to bring them into the conversation.
Throughout this play, we see Heidi (Megan Noble) in different stages:
Her past.
Her present.
A debate between present-day Heidi (as a character) and an actual teenage debater (Solaris Khalid or Ellen Reid).
A conversation between this young debater and Noble (as herself).
I believe the purpose of this play is to prompt reflection on where we are as a community and where we come from. Heidi’s line, “A lot of us are forced to be two people in this culture,” becomes the core of it all.
In the first stage, Heidi takes us back to her teenage years, passionately debating her interpretation of the Constitution in front of older white men (represented by us, the audience) as she tries to save for college. The script weaves in analogies drawn from Heidi’s interests, like witches and Patrick Swayze. Noble skillfully balances the unrestrained personality of a teenager, treating each speaking moment as if it’s her last, with a controlled performance that avoids overwhelming the audience. On the contrary, Noble’s timing invites us to laugh at the mix of innocence and unfiltered comments while also making us feel for young Heidi as she begins to see the injustices of our society. Here, a stern Legionnaire (David Wilson-Brown) moderates the debate, providing guidance to young Heidi and to us. Wilson-Brown’s body language and tone are strict yet caring, signaling that while the space is structured, his character is dedicated to fostering equality and providing a safe environment for Heidi and her (invisible-to-us) debater to express themselves. He remains present on stage, subtly indicating through his actions whether the Heidi we’re hearing from is her past self or her present self momentarily stepping back to reflect on her performance.
In the second stage, a 50-year-old Heidi addresses us from a position of experience, sharing her reflections on the Constitution. She introduces her friend Danny (David Wilson-Brown) as the only person she trusts enough to represent the Legionnaire. With a more grounded voice tinged with an undertone of desperation, Noble conveys Heidi’s gratitude for the progress society has made through the Constitution while also expressing her disappointment that certain groups, like Indigenous women, are still not fully acknowledged as American citizens in this document. She also underscores the troubling fact that men have historically written the laws governing women’s bodies. When Wilson-Brown interprets his character, his tone adds warmth to Danny’s vulnerability. His body language subtly shifts from stiff to more fluid, embodying a sense of openness. His discussion about society’s expectation for men to express only anger—and no other emotions—invites reflection on the pressures faced by even those explicitly represented in the Constitution, almost as if something still limits their ability to fully be themselves. Wilson-Brown’s portrayal of Danny makes us understand Heidi’s perspective of him.
In the third stage, we meet an actual debater. I had the pleasure of watching Ellen Reid debate whether the Constitution should be abolished or preserved. Seeing Reid’s confidence as she debated made us understand Heidi’s message: though we have room to improve, we’ve come a long way. In today’s world, a young woman like Reid can openly express her dissatisfaction, contrasting with the experiences of Heidi’s female ancestors and showing us the powerful position of women in society today. Witnessing Reid’s passion makes me hope that this fire never fades. Dana Schultes’ direction allows us to dream again, even amid the heartbreak in Heidi’s stories.
I’ll say little about the fourth stage to avoid spoilers, but it’s here that we see America reflected in three perspectives: Reid, as a young dreamer who believes all her goals are within reach; Noble, as someone who, despite many disappointments, remains optimistic about the future; and us, the audience, as the third perspective—questioning ourselves and others in the pursuit of a more empathetic society. In my opinion, it’s here we finally get to see two sides of a single character—even though that character is the actress herself. When Noble expresses hope for the future, yet her body language hints at a fading optimism, it’s the first time I clearly see a character revealing both their goals and inner struggles in such a vivid way.
RUNNING: Through Nov 3, 2024
VENUE: Stage West, 821 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76104
TICKETS: https://stagewest.org/