A whirlwind journey through American history: equal parts satire, reflection, and celebration of freedom.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Theatre-by-the-Grove, a student performance organization in the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance, proudly presents 46 Plays for 46 Presidents, a bold and fast-paced production celebrating the chaos, humor, and humanity of American democracy. Performances will take place November 6–8 at 7:30 p.m. and November 9 at 1:00 p.m. in Waller Hall’s Mainstage Theater.
Written collaboratively by Karen Weinberg, Chloe Johnston, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sean Benjamin, and Andy Bayiates, 46 Plays for 46 Presidents is published by Playscripts Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. The production is directed by Mavis Jennings, temporary professor of theatre at IUP.
About the Play
Exactly as its title suggests, but with endless surprises along the way, 46 Plays for 46 Presidents offers a series of sharp, witty, and sometimes poignant “espresso shots” of American history. In each short play, a member of the ensemble dons the star-spangled coat of the presidency, exploring the triumphs, contradictions, and absurdities of each administration. From comedy roasts and musical interludes to sobering historical moments, the evening delivers a kaleidoscopic look at America’s ongoing experiment with freedom.
About IUP’s Production
While the play mentions it can be performed with as few as five actors or as many as 150, Jennings’ production features a cast of 26 dynamic student performers, each embodying the ever-changing face of leadership and identity across centuries.
“Having just arrived at IUP, I was immediately struck by the enthusiasm and talent in our student body,” says Jennings. “When I sat down after auditions and said I wanted to cast everyone, my colleagues Dr. Carrie Cole and Professor Nancy Pipkin-Hutchinson simply said, ‘That sounds good to us.’ That spirit of collaboration, of possibility, is exactly what this play is about.”
Jennings describes the piece as “a patchwork big top of red, white, and blue, a circus of ideals leaning but never falling.” The scenic design by Joshua Kelly evokes a tilted tent, suspended by fabric banners that symbolize both the fragility and endurance of American democracy.
“The chaos of freedom is what makes this country beautiful,” Jennings reflects. “Through assassinations, economic collapses, and moments of profound moral and tragic extremes, we find that our story has always been one of resilience. The light of freedom keeps flickering, but it never goes out.”
A Timely Ending
With the blessing of the original playwrights, IUP’s production ends not with the celebration of Joe Biden becoming president but continues into Donald Trump’s current forty-seventh presidency and an invitation to reflect on the enduring, imperfect light of freedom that continues to define our nation’s character.
Performance and Ticket Information
Performances of 46 Plays for 46 Presidents run November 6–8 at 7:30 p.m. and November 9 at 1:00 p.m. in Waller Hall, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Tickets are available for advance purchase online or by phone through the Lively Arts Office at 724-357-2787, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Remaining tickets may be purchased at the door one hour before each performance.
This performance is presented by the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs, and is funded, in part, by the IUP Student Cooperative Association. The Lively Arts, a program of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs, presents nearly 200 performances, programs, and exhibits annually.