THE DISCOURSE PROJECT
JULY 4 TO NOVEMBER 3, 2020
"No nation can now shut itself up from the surrounding
world, and trot round in the same old path of its fathers
without interference. [A] change has now come over the
affairs of mankind."
-Frederick Douglass
CLOSED
Entire series now available!
chapter 1: the authors of history
July 4-August 4
"What, To the Slave, Is the Fourth of July?"
-Frederick Douglass
"Speech to the Court, Virginia vs. John Brown"
-John Brown
"Remember the Ladies"
-Abigail Adams
"To His Excellency, George Washington"
-Phillis Wheatley
"Emancipation Proclamation"
-Abraham Lincoln
"Declaration of Independence"
Chapter 2: the economics of democracy
August 11-September 15
"Lessons of MLK"
-Cesar Chavez
"Celebration of Winning the Vote"
-Carrie Chapman Catt
"Notes and Statements"
-Rosa Parks
"And Still I Rise"
-Maya Angelou
"I Have A Dream"
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Voting Rights Act of 1965, Section 17"
Chapter 3: a nation in crisis
September 22-October 12
"On Impeachment"
-Barbara Jordan
"Inaugural Speech"
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Lynching, Our National Crime"
-Ida B. Wells
"Gettysburg Address"
-Abraham Lincoln
"1,112 and Counting"
-Larry Kramer
"Songs of the Spavinaw"
-Ruth Muskrat Bronson
chapter 4: a nation decides
October 15-November 3
"The Struggle for Human Rights"
-Eleanor Roosevelt
"The Hope Speech"
-Harvey Milk
"The Ballot or the Bullet"
-Malcolm X
"Inaugural Address"
-John F. Kennedy
"Presidential Candidacy Announcement"
-Shirley Chisholm
"On Women's Right to Vote"
-Susan B. Anthony
about the discourse project
1776. 1860. 1929. 1964. Since the inception of the United States of America, leaders and activists have ushered us through eras of discourse with the intent of reunification when our nation teetered on the edge of irrevocable division. In 2020, we were faced with re-evaluating our national identity. What were our values as a nation? History offered itself as our guide, our teacher… were we ready to listen and learn?
THE DISCOURSE PROJECT featured actors from across the United States performing prominent speeches and historical documents addressing our call for democracy, freedom, and equality. THE DISCOURSE PROJECT premiered July 4th and ran up Election Day. This video content was shared on social media platforms in the hope of evoking a community discourse about the future of our nation leading up to the presidential election on November 3, 2020.
the ensemble
[click for bios]
Javier Rivera
Jordan Brown
Laura Holland
Jainaya Rice
Zak Rosen
Steve Sawicki
Griffin DeLisle
Yakima Rich
Leiah Poindexter
Ché Lyons
Willard Brewington III
Susan Sotnick
Laura Malkus
Ken Skrzesz
Kevin Stanfa
Ryan Clark
Tom Rothacker
Please help us to continue creating thought-provoking theatre in Baltimore. All donations are gratefully accepted and tax-deductible. Thank you for supporting Quarry Theatre!
donate
Voting resources
Find information about voter registration,
districts, ballots, and more.
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ROCKTHEVOTE.ORG
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USA.GOV/VOTING
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VOTE.GOV
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VOTE.ORG
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VOTE411.ORG
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IWILLVOTE.COM
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CNN.COM VOTER GUIDE
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NBCNEWS.COM PLAN YOUR VOTE
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HEADCOUNT.ORG
"Nothing in this Act shall be construed to deny, impair, or otherwise adversely affect the right to vote or any person registered to vote under the law of any State or political subdivision."
-Voting Rights Act of 1965, section 17