Calendar of Events

August 18-22
Wed-Sat @ 7:30, Sun @ 2:00

The fight to gain the vote for women was dramatic, fractious, and sometimes violent. Written by two local playwrights, SuffRAGE celebrates Tennessee’s important role in the ratification of the 19th Amendment while acknowledging those who were left out. Opening on the 101th anniversary (because, you know, there was a pandemic on the 100th) of the vote to ratify, this World Premiere honestly examines the complicated history of women’s suffrage. For all audiences.

When the big centennial for the 19th Amendment was cancelled last year due to Covid, Flying Anvil Theatre had to postpone its own original play. But now SuffRAGE: To Give Voice will open on the 101st anniversary of that historic vote, for a limited five-performance run. The play cleverly links the historical event with today’s efforts to make voting more difficult for some.

The cast includes Yolanda Treece, Jennie Lee-Pace, JoAnn Damiani, Arisa Carero-Spencer, Delyn Filer, Emma Wright, and Rachel Bass and is stage managed by Randy Thompson. The play was commissioned by Flying Anvil Theatre and researched and written by Linda Parsons and Jeannette Brown. They took on the challenge of not only celebrating women’s gaining the vote, but acknowledging the Black suffragists who were left behind.

The theatre requires everyone to be vaccinated and wear masks at all times. In addition, only 60 seats are sold for each performance so audience members can distance themselves within the theatre.

Flying Anvil Theatre, 1300 Rocky Hill Road, Knoxville. Information: 865-357-1309, www.flyinganviltheatre.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram, @flyinganviltheatre