Equality of Rights • The First Women’s Rights Convention

Equality of Rights • The First Women’s Rights Convention

by Jerry Argetsinger

(For production by Educational, Amateur and Professional groups.)

This play was commissioned by Celebrate ‘98 and premiered at the Sesquicentennial of the first Women’s Rights Convention (1998) in the Wesleyan Chapel, Women’s Rights National Historical Park, Seneca Falls, NY, where it is regularly performed. “Equality of Rights” is a dramatic representation of the events leading up to and a reenactment of highlights of the First Women’s Rights Convention at the Wesleyan Chapel, Seneca Falls, NY in 1848. It begins at the 1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention in London, England where the American delegation was made up primarily of Quakers. Upon their arrival, the World Convention leaders caused an uproar by refusing to seat the American women delegates.  As they observed and discussed the convention Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott became fast friends and vowed to convene a Women’s Rights Convention on their return to the States.  They reunited eight years later in Seneca Falls, NY and remembered their resolve.  In less than one weeks time, they organized the convention, wrote their “Sentiments and Resolutions” and publicized the event as best they could.  Remarkably, the convention had standing room only and established a political outcry,  due to the efforts of Fredrick Douglass editor of the North Star newspaper.  The women became nationally recognized leaders at the forefront of the movement that eventually resulted in the 19th Amendment to Constitution granting women the right to vote.


PLAY DETAILS:

  • 8f, 6m (including an 11 year old boy)
  • Open Stage Setting with levels
  • About an hour
  • Order #3114

Available for production by all groups!


PERUSAL COPIES

  • The PERUSAL PAGES file for Equality of Rights  is available by clicking equalityofrightsperusal The PDF file is the first half of the play and all other pertinent information about the play.
  • EMAIL us for rights and information. Be sure to give us anticipated performance dates and the address of your group and, if different, your theatre. Please also include a contact name and phone number.

PURCHASE REHEARSAL MATERIALS:

(Any PDF purchased will be emailed to your email address — if you need to provide that to us (not the one on your PayPal account?), email us. CDs will be mailed to a snail mail address)

  • Script in PDF format — Order #3114a : $15.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)



  • First Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3114d : $35




  • Second Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3114e : $25




  • Professional Royalties will be quoted upon application




PRODUCTIONS

  • Wesleyan Chapel at the National Women’s Rights Park for the Sesquicentennial — 1998

BILLING CREDITS

The following is how the credits should read in all programs, posters, fliers, handbills and other promotional advertising for the show:
Equality of Rights
 by Jerry Argetsinger

NOTE: The names of the Playwright(s), Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter shall be equal in size, type, coloring, boldness, and prominence. No billing shall appear in type larger or more prominent than the billing to the Authors except for the title of the play.

ALSO:

THIS NOTICE MUST APPEAR IN ALL PROGRAMS, ON ALL POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND INTERNET ADVERTISING/WEBPAGES FOR THE PLAY:
Equality of Rights is presented through special arrangement with Leicester Bay Theatricals.  All authorized materials are also supplied by LBT, www.leicesterbaytheatricals.com”


 

From the Catalog of

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