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Argument Sessions places audiences in the middle of our country’s most important legal battles. This ensemble-driven, collaboratively developed, court-meets-cabaret event weaves verbatim SCOTUS argument transcripts and decisions with variety theatre, stripping away the austerity of the courtroom and inviting you to party with our judicial process.

 

The Supreme Court of the United States is blended with a group of plain-clothed friends playing a high-stakes game over drinks. The Arguers directly engage the audience throughout the evening, inviting them into the process – commiserating, boasting, and toasting alongside them. Theatrical variety moments – songs, comedic scene-lets, brief sketches, dance-offs, etc. – are woven throughout the argument to inspire a celebratory atmosphere and engaging narrative structure that’s faithful to the argument transcript’s content and arguer’s intents, while breaking down the barriers of rhetoric and legalese. 



Created and Directed by Ilana Becker
Associate Directed by Amy Ashton
Developed with and Performed by

Kate Berman, Rivka Borek*, Will Dagger, Maria Fernanda Diez, Alisha Giampola*, Aeneas Sagar Hemphill,

Rebecca Kelly-Golfman, Liz Morgan*, Justin Perez, Christopher Sayre, Maya Sharpe*, and Kyra Sims
with additional writing by Tasha Gordon-Solmon and Khiyon Hursey
with Lighting Design by Daisy Long and Sound Design by Matt Otto

In 1965, Congress enacted the Voting Rights Act to uphold the 15th Amendment, which states,

"The right of citizens of the US to vote shall not be denied or abridged...on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

In 2013, SCOTUS decided a sub-section of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional,

giving way to new legislation that would obstruct peoples' ability to vote across the country.

Take a deep dive with us into Shelby v. Holder to explore how it all happened

with drinks, music, and more!

*These actors are appearing courtesy of the Actors Equity Association. This is an Equity approved Showcase.

ARGUMENT SESSIONS: DISENFRANCHISED!
a workshop production about the right to vote
as part of WIT Festival presented by Project Y Theatre Company
June 7th, 11th, and 19th at 7:30PM
A.R.T/NY's Gural Theatre

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