SOMETHING TO VOTE FOR
A Reading of this 50-minute One-Act
Written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (pictured above)
Directed by Gayle Stahlhuth
Premieres on Thursday, March 18 at 8:00 PM
On ELTC's YouTube Channel: https://www.tinyurl.com/ELTCYouTube
Available through Sunday, March 21 at 11:30 PM
Direct link will be available once it has been uploaded
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This reading is offered for FREE due to support from The New Jersey Council for the Humanities through its “NJ Women Vote: The 19th Amendment at 100” initiative, and The New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s “Stages Festival.” |
Something to Vote For (1911) takes place in the home of Mrs. May Carroll, the new president of the Women’s Club,
a group dedicated to discussing important concerns within their community. Being anti-suffrage, they believe that they can tell men what they think should be done, and the men will, for the most part, do their bidding. When the group is concerned about the purity of the milk given to babies, Dr. Strong, a woman doctor from Colorado, is invited
to speak to the Club. She puts the need for women to vote at the center of the conversation.
In the early 20th Century, plays were an important part of the suffrage movement. They were usually printed
in magazines and read aloud and/or staged in private homes. The hope was that the controversial conversation of
women’s suffrage could be presented in a comfortable setting – bolstering the cause and hopefully swaying some
anti-suffragists. Many of the British suffrage plays survived - most of the American suffrage plays did not.
a group dedicated to discussing important concerns within their community. Being anti-suffrage, they believe that they can tell men what they think should be done, and the men will, for the most part, do their bidding. When the group is concerned about the purity of the milk given to babies, Dr. Strong, a woman doctor from Colorado, is invited
to speak to the Club. She puts the need for women to vote at the center of the conversation.
In the early 20th Century, plays were an important part of the suffrage movement. They were usually printed
in magazines and read aloud and/or staged in private homes. The hope was that the controversial conversation of
women’s suffrage could be presented in a comfortable setting – bolstering the cause and hopefully swaying some
anti-suffragists. Many of the British suffrage plays survived - most of the American suffrage plays did not.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860 – 1935) known mainly for her novel The Yellow Wallpaper, was not only a writer, but also a lecturer for
social reform. She published Something to Vote For in her own monthly magazine, “The Forerunner,” in 1911. This play is one of the
90 pieces by over 70 writers, included in American Women’s Suffrage: Voices from the Long Struggle for the Vote 1776–1965 edited by
Susan Ware, No. 332 in the Library of America Series. “Amid the flood of books marking the centennial of women’s suffrage, this
anthology stands out for its scope and authority. . . . Essential for libraries and a go-to book for anyone seriously interested in women’s suffrage in America.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
social reform. She published Something to Vote For in her own monthly magazine, “The Forerunner,” in 1911. This play is one of the
90 pieces by over 70 writers, included in American Women’s Suffrage: Voices from the Long Struggle for the Vote 1776–1965 edited by
Susan Ware, No. 332 in the Library of America Series. “Amid the flood of books marking the centennial of women’s suffrage, this
anthology stands out for its scope and authority. . . . Essential for libraries and a go-to book for anyone seriously interested in women’s suffrage in America.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
New Jersey Theatre Alliance's STAGES FESTIVAL
The "Stages Festival" was developed to encourage New Jersey residents to attend their local professional theaters by making the experience affordable, accessible, and fun. It has reached over 220,000 audience members since its inception in 1997.
"Stages Festival" is gearing up for March through May performances in 2021. To learn more, visit https://njtheatrealliance.org/stages-festival.
Founded in 1981, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance is the first statewide organization for professional, not-for-profit theater companies in the United States, of which ELTC is a proud member. NJTA is a leader in developing model programs that foster collaboration, cooperation and audience development. To learn more about NJTA, visit https://njtheatrealliance.org.
Major funding for the "Stages Festival" is provided by Bank of America, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, OceanFirst Foundation, George A. Ohl, Jr. Trust, New Jersey Historical Commission, Fund for New Jersey Blind, and New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The "Stages Festival" was developed to encourage New Jersey residents to attend their local professional theaters by making the experience affordable, accessible, and fun. It has reached over 220,000 audience members since its inception in 1997.
"Stages Festival" is gearing up for March through May performances in 2021. To learn more, visit https://njtheatrealliance.org/stages-festival.
Founded in 1981, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance is the first statewide organization for professional, not-for-profit theater companies in the United States, of which ELTC is a proud member. NJTA is a leader in developing model programs that foster collaboration, cooperation and audience development. To learn more about NJTA, visit https://njtheatrealliance.org.
Major funding for the "Stages Festival" is provided by Bank of America, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, OceanFirst Foundation, George A. Ohl, Jr. Trust, New Jersey Historical Commission, Fund for New Jersey Blind, and New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
