ANN ARBOR: Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor’s resident nonprofit professional theatre, is thrilled to announce the Michigan Premiere of “What the Constitution Means to Me” by Heidi Schreck. The New York Times heralded the hit play as “Not just the best play on Broadway, but also the most important.”
Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned college money by competing in Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious and hopeful play, adult Heidi looks back at her younger self, her mother, and her grandmother, tracing the impact the Constitution had on all of their lives.
Directed by Briana O’Neal (“Splattered”), “What the Constitution Means to Me” by Heidi Schreck features Emily Wilson-Tobin (“The Language Archive”), David Galido, and Skye Soleà. The production and design team includes scenic designer Paul Taylor (“Mlima’s Tale”), lighting designer Jeff Alder (“Splattered,” “Mlima’s Tale”), costume designer Genevieve Compton (“Splattered”), properties and sound designer Carla Milarch (“Splattered”), and stage manager Carolyn Pierce (“Splattered”).
Proud to produce the hottest new plays at affordable prices, Theatre NOVA offers a subscription program as the best way to see quality programs at a discounted price. Subscribers save on single ticket prices and guarantee their seats for all six plays through August 2024.
Subscribers get easy exchanges, no per-ticket fees, a pass to our Michigan Playwright’s Festival, and our eNewsletter, keeping them up to date on future events at the theatre. If patrons prefer to pick and choose which productions they’d like to see and when they would like to see them, our popular Flex Pass offers six tickets to use for any show and any date.
Current COVID-19 Policy as of 7-23-2023
Theatre NOVA is known for its intimate space. Our priority is to keep our artists safe and healthy to ensure that we can stay open. Please be advised:
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All artists and staff are fully vaccinated.
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Two bathrooms (one upstairs) are available for patrons upon request.
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We perform a ventilation audit once a year.
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All Thursday performances will be mask-required to provide a safe space for our immunocompromised patrons and those who want a higher level of risk mitigation.
We review this policy regularly. It is subject to change at any time, following local, state, and federal guidelines. Please check our current COVID-19 policy before your scheduled performance date.
Theatre NOVA is located at 410 W Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Performances are on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. General admission tickets for plays are $28. Theatre NOVA continues to make theatre accessible by offering pay-what-you-can tickets for those who need them. The general public may purchase tickets, memberships, flex passes, and subscriptions online at www.TheatreNOVA.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person one hour before each performance. Seating in the theatre will begin 30 minutes before each performance.
There is ample free parking and quick access to the city’s restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops. New patrons can find Theatre NOVA across Huron Street from Ann Arbor’s YMCA through a parking lot entrance on the north side of the street. For more information, visit www.TheatreNOVA.org.
Theatre NOVA’s mission is to raise awareness of the value and excitement of new plays and playwrights and to provide resources for playwrights to develop their craft by importing, exporting, and developing new work.
Heidi Schreck (Playwright) is a writer and performer living in Brooklyn. Her critically acclaimed play “What the Constitution Means to Me” played an extended, sold-out run on Broadway in 2019 and was nominated for two Tony Awards. It had subsequent runs at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the Mark Taper Forum, the Guthrie, Seattle Repertory Theatre, the McCarter Theatre, and theatres in Houston, Miami, Omaha, Nashville, Charlotte, and Chicago. A filmed version of the play premiered on Amazon Prime Video and was nominated for a Critics Choice Award, a PGA Award, and a DGA Award. “What the Constitution Means to Me” was named Best of the Year by The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Time Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, The New Yorker, and more. Schreck’s other plays, “Grand Concourse,” “Creature,” and “There Are No More Big Secrets,” have also been produced in NYC and all over the country. Screenwriting credits include “I Love Dick,” “Billions,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Dispatches from Elsewhere,” and shows in development with Amazon Studios, Plan B and A24. She is the recipient of three Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, a Theatre World Award, as well as the Horton Foote Playwriting Award and the Hull-Warriner Award from the Dramatists Guild. Schreck was awarded Smithsonian Magazine’s 2019 American Ingenuity Award for her work in the Performing Arts.
Briana O’Neal (Director) is a proud graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and Political Science. She has been working with Theatre NOVA since 2019, first as the Resident Stage Manager and now also as the Company Manager. She is so grateful for the opportunity to direct “What the Constitution Means to Me” and to the whole team at Theatre NOVA for continuing to produce thought-provoking and innovative new plays. Some of her favorite credits with Theatre NOVA include directing “Splattered!” and stage managing “Arabic to English,” “Mlima’s Tale,” “The Language Archive,” “Sanctuary City,” “Relativity,” and four of our annual holiday Pantos, including “Sugar Plum Panto” most recently. She wants to thank the incredible creative team for all their support and dedication and Emily, David, and Skye for taking this journey together and creating something wonderful.
CAST BIOS:
David Galido (Legionnaire) is excited to make his Theatre NOVA debut in this unique and important show. He earned his BA in Theatre from Albion College before serving as an officer in the United States Air Force. He studied with Aaron Speiser in Los Angeles, wrote and performed educational shows at the Michigan Science Center, and was a member of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival Interstate Tour. Some of his favorite past roles include James (“Time Stands Still”), Eli Duffy (“The Renaissance Man”), and John Wilkes Booth (“Assassins”). David enjoys running, breakfast foods, the musical stylings of Weird Al, making desserts, playing D&D with his friends, and editing the Star Wars prequels into watchable films. He’d like to thank his friends and family for their support, the cast and crew for all their hard work bringing this show to life, and you for choosing to be here to witness live theater.
Skye Soleà (Debater) is a 17-year-old actress whose journey in the world of entertainment is marked by creativity, dedication, and a passion for storytelling. Her remarkable career took flight when she and her friends crafted a compelling film, “1776: Back In Time”, an endeavor that not only showcased her talents but also earned them a prestigious award at the INAFF Student Film Festival. Skye’s pursuit of excellence led her to study under esteemed coaches like Wallace Bridges at Eastern Michigan University, honing her craft and expanding her repertoire. With an impressive repertoire of short films to her credit, including notable titles like “The Easy Path” and “The Last Call,” and her current engagement in the final stages of a feature film project, Skye is firmly establishing her presence and making an indelible mark within the realm of cinema. Now, Skye is gearing up for an exciting transition from film to theater, eager to explore the nuances of live performances. Her enthusiasm knows no bounds as she embarks on this new artistic journey, armed with her talent, dedication, and youthful passion for the stage. Skye’s future holds endless possibilities as she continues to shine brightly in film and theater.
Emily Wilson-Tobin (Heidi) is honored to return to the Theatre NOVA stage after performing in “The Language Archive” last season. An Ann Arbor native, Emily earned a BA in Theatre and French Language/Literature from Wesleyan University and an MFA in Applied Drama/Theatre for the Young from EMU. She is the Director of Community Ensemble Theatre at Community High School and was previously the Theatre Director at Greenhills School. Past acting credits include work with Tipping Point Theatre, Ellipsis Theatre, and the Blackbird Theatre. Thanks to her family, friends, and the amazing CET community for all of their support during a busy time, and thanks to Briana, Carla, Carolyn, David, Skye, and the NOVA staff for this opportunity to perform and share the stage in such a meaningful, powerful piece.
MAIN PHOTO: Emily Wilson-Tobin and David Galido in “What the Constitution Means to Me” by Heidi Schreck, directed by Briana O’Neal at Theatre NOVA. Photograph by Sean Carter Photography.
WHO:
Heidi: Emily Wilson-Tobin
Legionnaire; David Galido
Debater: Skye Soleà
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director: Briana O’Neal
Stage Manager: Carolyn Pierce
Set design: Paul Taylor
Lighting design: Jeff Alder
Costume design: Genevieve Compton
Sound/Props design: Carla Milarch
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
“What the Constitution Means to Me” by Heidi Schreck
October 20-November 12, 2023
Fri., Oct. 20, 8:00 p.m. Opening Night
Sat., Oct. 21, 8:00 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 22, 2:00 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 26, 8:00 p.m. – audience masked
Fri., Oct. 27, 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 28, 8:00 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 29, 2:00 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 2, 8:00 p.m. – audience masked
Fri., Nov. 3, 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 4, 8:00 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 5, 2:00 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 9, 8:00 p.m. – audience masked
Fri., Nov. 10, 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 11, 8:00 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 12, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Theatre NOVA, 410 W Huron, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
