University Of Delaware: Resident Ensemble Players Performs ‘Votetrickery'

Press release from the University of Delaware:

November 29, 2021

Original spoken word symphony by Resident Ensemble Players examines America’s voting history

The Resident Ensemble Players (REP) at the University of Delaware will begin streaming an original audio production on Wednesday, Dec. 1, examining the history of the vote in America through a spoken word symphony designed to be engaging and entertaining.

Votetrickery was written and directed by REP company member Hassan El-Amin, who also created the audio play Talk About Race, which was performed last season. The new production features rhythmic beats and a spoken-word flow that promises to sweep listeners along.

The production takes a look at the question of whether America has a government ruled by the majority or whether it is ruled by the majority who vote. It explores such questions as: Exactly who is allowed to vote? Who decides? How are votes counted? Who does the counting?

“The struggle for inclusion in what we call our democracy has been a challenge since our country began in 1776,” El-Amin said. “It’s been an exclusive membership, like a country club, only for a few people. This was by strategic design from the outset. We’re still dealing with the consequences of what these wise men, our founding fathers, put together from the very beginning.”

Votetrickery acknowledges both the power of the vote and the nation’s history of exclusion in voting rights. Progress has been made but only in slow steps, El-Amin said, and that pattern is especially apparent today as passionate debates occur over such issues as voting laws, restrictions and who has the final say on the results of an election.

“For those of us who really want America to be a place where democracy is for everybody, a place where we truly are a melting pot, where there is true diversity and multiracial inclusion, we have to be in the battle and part of the struggle,” he said. “That struggle in this country is never-ending.”

Listeners can stream the audio production of Votetrickery: A Spoken Word Symphony for free anytime from Dec. 1 to Dec. 19 at the REP website.

To listen to an audio clip with a preview of the show, click on this website.

This press release was produced by the University of Delaware. The views expressed here are the author’s own.