RICHARD CROWLEY
prosecutor at the Susan B. Anthony trial

But She Deliberately Broke the Law
(Intro for Susan B. Anthony trial)

      On November 5, 1872, Susan B. Anthony and fifteen female friends and family members boldly marched into a Rochester New York barbershop (a man’s territory) and voted for the next president of the United States. When confronted by election officials, she claimed she had the right to vote and cited the newest constitutional amendments to prove it. From today’s perspective, it is easy to see she was right. But it was not so easy back then. East coast intellectuals wondered what the election officials were thinking. She had gone too far. The purpose of those amendments was to empower African American men, not women. Americans were scandalized; an example had to be made.
      In this unscripted play/workshop, Hank Fincken recreates the trial by playing prosecuting attorney Richard Crowley. His task is to ensure justice is done--and that Susan B. Anthony is found guilty. But first, Hank--as Hank--teaches the audience role-playing techniques, provides background information that led up to the trial, invites the audience to take on roles from actual trial participants, and then begins the trial yet again. Everyone participates and everyone learns something about the times and the character of Susan B. Anthony.
      After the reenactment, Hank compares what happened in 1873 to what happened the day of the presentation. The audience learns not to condemn the past, but instead to understand the mindset of 19th century America. No wonder it took this nation so long to give women the vote!
      This program concludes with a provocative discussion that begins: “Let’s pretend we have been assigned to create new voting rules that will help America recover from this economic downturn. What rules do you suggest? Who should get to vote?” The audience then discusses the issue the same way the founding fathers did more than two centuries ago. By remembering their struggle to be fair to all and do what is best for our country, we come to appreciate what we too often take for granted: suffrage for each and every citizen.