Wide Eyed's THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT Teach-In Set for Sunday

Join Wide Eyed Productions for "The First Amendment Project" Teach-In this Sunday, July 9 at Arnhold Hall, 55 W. 13th Street, Room 908, NYC.

Featuring speakers Anwanyu Glanville (cofounder of The Human Root), Brian Hauss (staff attorney with the ACLU), Janet Jenness (former litigator), Veronica Lawlor (artist activist specializing in on-site reportage), and Caits Meissner (author and social justice educator).

THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT is designed to educate, enlighten and entertain not only the audience members who attend, but the artists creating the work. It was born out of the repeated wishes we heard coming from our artistic community after the 2016 Presidential election: "I wish I knew more. I wish I could create something in response to how I feel. I wish I could reach people outside of my bubble." We decided to do something about it.

THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT is made up of two distinct events: 1) the Teach-In day on July 9, where experts in the field will give short talks from varying viewpoints about the First Amendment; and 2) a weekend of performances (September 8-10) inspired by the Teach-In, showcasing works inspired by the First Amendment and our current political climate.

The audience: directors, playwrights, composers, actors, visual artists, and other invited creatives who would like to learn more about the First Amendment: its history, effect on the current political and cultural climate, and debatable future. Also incorporated into the Teach-In Day will be opportunities for breakout groups where artists will be able to brainstorm and build upon what they learned by sharing ideas. The hope is that this Teach-In will inspire work for Part II of THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT - performances of new works over the course of three evenings in September.

Can't make it to the Teach-In day? You can still contribute. If you have existing material that addresses the First Amendment, either directly or indirectly, or if you want to write something new, send it to us. All submissions will be considered: FirstAmendmentProject2017@gmail.com.

IF YOU GO:

THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT
Part I: Teach-In
July 9, 2017 | 12-3pm
Arnhold Hall, 55 W. 13th Street, Room 908, NYC
FREE to Attend
Facebook Invite RSVP is Required (CLICK HERE)
Please bring photo ID to enter the space

PANEL OF SPEAKERS:

Anwanyu Glanville, cofounder of The Human Root, has done extensive research in the field of Race, Class, & American societal practices of oppression. She is currently exploring what The Freedom of Speech means for all Americans, within and beyond a social, behavioral and political framework.

Brian Hauss is a staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project. Brian was previously a staff attorney with the ACLU Center for Liberty, where he focused on combating religious refusals to comply with anti-discrimination laws.

Janet Jenness is a former litigator.

Veronica Lawlor is an artist activist specializing in on-site reportage, which aims to create unusual visual solutions that are graphically appropriate for the problem at hand. Her reportage drawings have led her around the world, and her work is featured in the Newseum and the Washington DC Museum of Journalism.

Caits Meissner, author and social justice educator, has taught, consulted and co-created extensively for over 15 years. She currently serves as Writer-in-Residence at Bronx Academy of Letters, where she oversees a social justice and writing program. She offers free writing workshops and collaborative readings at jails, prisons and reentry programs across the United States on The Humans That We Are Prison Poetry Tour.

COMING SOON:

THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROJECT
Part II: Three Evenings of Performances
September 8-10, 2017

This weekend's performances will feature new works (monologues, short plays, songs, and dance) conceived and created by a group of inclusive, politically-minded, and diverse artists, inspired by the July 9 Teach-In and the First Amendment. We anticipate a tone that ranges from deeply-engaging and moving to clever and funny - something for all audiences with as many demographics represented as possible.

All proceeds will be donated to the ACLU.

Wide Eyed Productions exists to bring brave, bold and culturally relevant new texts to production. With a core ensemble of emerging theatre artists, we are dedicated to leaving our audience Wide Eyed.

Wide Eyed Productions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your welcome contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Go to www.wideeyedproductions.com for more information. Follow on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @wideeyednyc.