Open to Public
Aspen Ideas Festival: America in Her Own Words
Free Event
As we approach this momentous July 4th, we will celebrate and contextualize our national story through the oratory of some of our greatest Americans. Back by popular demand, the Theater of War crew presents July 4th speeches by Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and Susan B. Anthony, followed by a guided audience discussion reflecting on America’s 250th birthday.
Cast Members
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Michael Potts
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Kathryn Erbe
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David Strathairn
Event Partner
Explore Projects
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Pandemic & Climate CrisisAn Enemy of The PeopleAn Enemy of the People presents acclaimed actors, public health leaders, scientists, journalists, elected officials, and local community members performing dramatic readings of scenes from Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 play An Enemy of the People to help frame powerful, guided audience discussions aimed at generating connection, understanding, compassion, moral repair, and much-needed healing. The play tells the story of a doctor who discovers the water supply in his small, rural town has been poisoned by a tannery. Despite his efforts to convey the truth to the public, the doctor fails to save his community from environmental disaster and is ultimately scapegoated for his whistleblowing. An Enemy of the People was first performed in Norway in 1882, and yet it speaks to the present moment as if it were written for our times — to the corrosive influence of power and money in politics, the distortions of the media, and the many other challenges to public health in our culture today, especially during times of crisis.
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Pandemic & Climate CrisisPoetry for the PandemicUsing poetry as a catalyst for an Intergenerational performance and discussion during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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RacismAntigone in SavannahDramatic readings of Sophocles’ Antigone with live music to frame powerful dialogue about honoring the dead and healing historical wounds.