Theatre That Makes You Laugh, Think, and Believe in the Future of America
By Shawn Maus
The Play‘s History
Miami University Theatre, in collaboration with the Menard Family Center for Democracy, presents What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck. The show runs only through September 21, 2025 at the Gates-Abegglen Theatre. This Pulitzer Prize finalist is an autobiographical exploration of how the U.S. Constitution has shaped four generations of women in Schreck’s family, with a focus on gender equality, personal freedom, and the enduring struggle for rights in America. Using her teenage years as a debate champion, Schreck connects the past to the present, culminating in a spirited live debate about the Constitution’s future.
The Performers
As Heidi, Sara Rose Detwiler delivers a powerhouse performance. She captures the restless energy of a teenager and the reflective wisdom of adulthood with precision. The role demands tremendous stamina—nearly the entire play is her extended monologue—and Detwiler never falters. She fills the space with warmth and urgency, leaving the audience both educated and moved.
Late in the evening, Danielle Todd-Harris enters as the Debater, offering a burst of energy and fresh perspective. Her exchanges with Detwiler spark life into the final portion of the play. Garland Weaver does a solid job with the Legionnaire/Mike. He balances humor and gravity with an authentic, positive presence, even when the script risks giving him more than the story requires.
The Production Team
Director Gina Handy-Minyard keeps the storytelling fluid and intimate, guiding the audience through history, humor, and heartbreak with balance and care. Scenic designer Madeline Milas reimagines an American Legion Hall with striking simplicity, while Cassie Mings’ lighting design uses subtle shifts and sepia tones to underscore memory and nostalgia. Costumes by Lisa Martin-Stuart and sound design by Gary Minyard and Marly Wooster support the play’s understated but resonant world.
Bottom Line
What the Constitution Means to Me is a conversation about who we are as Americans and who we want to become. While the script occasionally feels uneven, this Miami production thrives on the strength of its performers and the timeliness of its themes. It asks the audience to reconsider their own relationship with democracy, to reflect on amendments that still shape our freedoms, and to imagine a future where the Constitution continues to evolve.
“Shawn Says… this play will stir your patriotism, challenge your thinking, and leave you energized about the future of American democracy.”
Get Tickets to What the Constitution Means to Me
Don’t miss this chance to see one of the most talked-about plays of the last decade. What the Constitution Means to Me runs through Sunday, September 21 at Miami University’s Gates-Abegglen Theatre. Tickets are available at etix.com.
