What the Constitution Means to Me - Auditions

Playwright Heidi Schreck's boundary-breaking play breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans. 

Fifteen year old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this hilarious, hopeful and achingly human new play, she resurrects her teenage self in order to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.

This show contains topics that may be uncomfortable with some viewers including sex trafficking, rape, sexual assault, mental health disorders, and abortion. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: This show is traditionally done with 3 performers; to increase opportunities and ease pressure when it comes to illnesses and other emergency absences, we will be having 2 casts (Cast A and Cast B). For performances, casts will rotate night to night, while the non-performing cast will be on call as swings. Each cast will perform 3 shows total.

Character Breakdown

A note on Dual Casting- Traditionally, this show is done with only three actors. However, to increase opportunity and create an understudy system, we will be casting 2 people in each role. Cast A and Cast B will rotate rehearsals and shows, and act as understudies for each other when needed. 

Heidi Schreck- The playwright and lead. Must be comfortable memorizing long pieces of text. High energy, ability to balance comedic storytelling with raw, down-to-earth emotion. Mid 40s. 

NOTE: Actresses auditioning for Heidi MUST memorize BOTH Heidi monologues for their auditions. Ability to memorize text is one of the main things we are looking for. 

Legionnaire- Kind but stoic. Represents a real man from Heidi’s life, and was chosen for the original show to act as a safe, supportive, male energy for Heidi throughout the piece. 

NOTE: There are two choices for featured monologue in this play. Actors should choose ONE of the two monologues that they feel most connected for their audition. Memorization is not required, but will be highly favored. 

Debater- A real teenager. This is an interesting character because she’s not a character at all. Instead, the actors in this role will be playing themselves.. Highly intelligent, fiery, and passionate about debate, they will go toe to toe with Heidi onstage for a live (scripted) debate, then take part in a short, unscripted, Q&A. 

NOTE: Pick ONE of the provided Debater monologues. Memorization is not required, but will be highly favored.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ow8CYLPtm0m10wQUBUfK_YCnPHWK7g-2dIhOAoiIAmE/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.nnhm1d4qw3s3