by Roseann Cane
Written in 2017, with a Broadway premiere in 2019, Heidi Schreck’s What the Constitution Means to Me garnered a slew of awards and nominations, including the honor of being a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for drama. After seeing the show at Capital Repertory Theatre, I can say that without reservation, this quirky, enthralling piece of theater deserves every honor that comes its way, and then some.
Shreck developed the piece based on her passion for the Constitution. As a 15-year-old, she earned college tuition by winning constitutional debates across the nation. In the play, we watch Shreck (played with charm and gusto by Kim Stauffer) inhabiting her 15-year-old self, alternating seamlessly (and at times, jarringly, in the best possible sense) with the currently 40-something Heidi. As Heidi recreates those debates, she is joined onstage by an American Legionnaire (played by the impressively adaptive Jay Sefton) who serves as judge for the debates.
As we entered the theater before the show, the ushers handed each audience member a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution of the United States, informing us that it was a gift from the director. It was a lovely gesture. A good deal of the dialogue centers on the Ninth Amendment: “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
Kim Stauffer as Heidi in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Jay Sefton as the Legionnaire in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Kim Stauffer as Heidi and Jay Sefton as the Legionnaire in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Kim Stauffer as Heidi in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Jay Sefton as the Legionnaire and Kim Stauffer as Heidi in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Kim Stauffer as Heidi in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Isabella “Izzy” Brown as the Debater in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Isabella “Izzy” Brown as the Debater in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Jay Sefton as the Legionnaire, Isabella “Izzy” Brown as the Debater, and Kim Stauffer as Heidi in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Isabel Sanchez as the Debater in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Jay Sefton as the Legionnaire and Isabel Sanchez as the Debater in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Isabel Sanchez as the Debater in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Isabel Sanchez as the Debater in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Isabel Sanchez as the Debater and Kim Stauffer as Heidi in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven, at Capital Repertory Theatre. Isabella Brown in Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” directed by Kristen van Ginhoven and presented at Capital Repertory Theatre. Photo: by Doug Liebig, @oeprophoto 
Shreck’s gift for demonstrating the effects of the Constitution by examining her own family history, especially the women in her family, is quite an accomplishment. She recounts generations of wounded women who lived without those rights enumerated in the Constitution because the only protected rights were those of white men. I was unprepared for the emotional wallop of these intensely personal stories; this, really, is central to my admiration of this play. Whether consciously or unconsciously, most of us experience the Constitution as an erudite scholarly document, rather than the living, accommodating blueprint it must be if it is to function. Shreck makes it personal.
There is much audience involvement as Heidi addresses us directly and involves us in her series of debates. Later on, the play becomes a new platform for debate, this time with a high-school debater (played on opening night by the beguiling, intelligent Isabel Sanchez, who will alternate throughout the run with Izzy Brown). This subject of this debate: Should the U.S. Constitution be abolished? We, the audience, act as jury, and since one audience member is selected to deliver the verdict, the end of the play will vary from show to show.
Kristen van Ginhoven’s inspired direction intensifies the impassioned message of What the Constitution Means to Me. The cast she has assembled is extraordinary. Scenic designer Juliana von Haubrich’s set perfectly houses an evocative high school/American Legion Hall, and lighting designer Lara Dubin illuminates subtly and superbly. Shivanna Sooknanan’s costumes compliment the players nicely, flattering without overpowering them or distracting from the crucial, edgy dialogue. Sound designer Caroline Eng enhances the show very astutely. (There were a few times historical recordings were played, and I think they were not crystal clear because of the age and/or circumstances of the recordings. The occasional lack of clarity does not detract from the action.)
What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck, directed by Kristen van Ginhoven plays at the Capital Repertory Theatre, 251 N Pearl Street in Albany, NY, September 15-October 8, 2023. CAST: Kim Stauffer as Heidi, Jay Sefton as the Legionnaire, Isabel Sanchez and Isabella “Izzy” Brown as the Debaters, Cate Damon Heidi understudy, Timothy W. Hull Legionnaire understudy. Scenic design by Juliana von Haubrich; lighting design by Lara Dubin; costume design by Shivanna Sooknanan; sound design by Caroline Eng, dramaturg Talya Kingston; production stage manager Shayne David Cameris; assistant stage manager Kathleen Keane.
Previews for What the Constitution Means to Me take place at theREP, 251 N. Pearl St., Albany, Sept. 15-17. Opening night is Tuesday, Sept. 19. Regular performance times Sept. 19-Oct. 8 are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday with matinees 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays.
Tickets range from $25-57. For tickets and information, call the box office 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday at (518) 346-6204 or visit capitalrep.org. The box office at theREP will open 30 minutes before show time.