Ann Mitchell, of Spencerport, will perform “Suffragettes UNITE!” at the 2019 KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival on Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the The Avyarium Theatre, 274 Goodman Street North, Suite D242, Rochester.
Journey back to a time when women, oppressed and underestimated by society, fought valiantly against the status quo to achieve the rights that they enjoy today. “Suffragettes UNITE!” is a theatrical portrayal of select woman’s suffrage leaders’ speeches orated during the long battle for the woman’s right to vote.
Ann Mitchell opens her ‘women’s convention’ with the impassioned words originally spoken by Sarah C. Owen in Rochester. Mitchell’s passionate portrayal features the charm and rhetoric of the 19th century language written and spoken by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony. The one-woman costumed performance culminates with a musing, “On Being A Woman,” written by Spencerport school teacher Sarah Jennie McCleery in 1883.
“Suffragettes UNITE!” began as a simple self-written speech for Mitchell’s winning talent portion in the local Jr. Miss Pageant. Over the years her interest in the early suffrage movement inspired her to research more on the women and their speeches.
“Suffragettes UNITE!” has enhanced countless history lessons, Girl Scout groups, churches and women’s organizations. Spencerport American history teacher John Deserto said, “The impact of Ann Mitchell’s performance was profound.”
“I felt as if Elizabeth C. Stanton, and other women portrayed, had spoken directly to us; giving their message with the sincerity of their beliefs as prevalent today as yesterday,” said P. Lloyd of the First Congregational Church in Spencerport.
Tickets for “Suffragettes UNITE!” are $10 at rochesterfringe.com, where more information is also available. Remaining tickets will be available at the door starting one hour before curtain.
Provided information and photo
