Carpenters’ Hall joins forces with Philadelphia’s Theatre Exile to participate in this national initiative exploring themes of history, democracy and citizenship through the perspectives of some of the country’s leading female playwrights.

Join us on the eve of the midterm election for free public readings of two short plays. An audience discussion will follow the readings.

THE BETSY ROSS BOOK OF THE DEAD by Paula Cizmar
Betsy Ross and her AI Assistant are busy preparing democracy for its descent into the Underworld when a 21st-century human pops into the portal to undermine their project and change the course of history.

huntin / issa social thing by a.k. payne
election night on the highest bridge of a post-industrial city. one considering death before their day of birth. another gathering thoughts on parasocialism and loneliness. a friendship in the wake of rivers?

Women+ on the Edge of Democracy is a program of the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, in partnership with the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.