What the Constitution Means to Me
by Heidi Schreck
Directed by Nancy Bell
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
October 23, 2026
Michelle Hand, Joel Moses
Photo by Courtney Guffey–Echos Photo & Film
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Rep’s first entry in their current season for the Steve Woolf Studio series is a show some in St. Louis may have seen before. While this iteration of What the Constitution Means to Me has its unique moments, it’s essentially a revival of Max & Louie Productions’ excellent staging from 2023, featuring the same lead performer (Michelle Hand), the same director (Nancy Bell), and one of the same teenage debaters (Riley Carter Adams). It’s also sponsored by Stellie Siteman and De Kaplan from Max & Louie. For those of us who had seen the prior production, this could be something of a deja vu moment, although the current staging is as lively, entertaining, and thought-provoking as ever, and the presentation seems a little more immersive this time.
The show features Hand as playwright Heidi Scheck, who originally starred in this show on Broadway and is featured in the Amazon Prime filmed version. The story is taken from Schreck’s personal experience as a teenager traveling around the country participating in debates about the Constitution in order to fund her college education. It’s a fascinating story in which Schreck revisits her teenage experience in light of what she has learned since, and comes to examine the US Constitution through a more modern lens, challenging its age, the founders’ situations and opinions, and wondering whether or not it might make sense to abolish it and start over with a new constitution addressing issues in a more current way, addressing issues like climate change, and being more inclusive of women and people of color. In the main story, Heidi reenacts her debates, revisiting her teen self while also stepping “out of time” on occasion to reflect on the history of the country and her own family, particularly the experiences of her mother, her grandmother, and her great-great grandmother as well as herself.
The reenacted debate, held at an American Legion hall, is presided over by a Legionnaire (Joel Moses), who tries to enforce the rules and format of the event, while Heidi frequently digresses, also talking to the audience as the presentation goes on. Then, when the main story is done, Hand breaks character and, as herself, participates in a debate about the future of the Constitution with one of two young debaters, the aforementioned Adams along with Amber Dantzler in alternating performances. This is an absorbing moment as well, seeing both Hand and Adams (the Debater at the performance I saw) pouring themselves into the debate, and having an audience member be the “judge” at the end, decided which argument was most convincing. This is followed by a short segment in which Hand and the Debater ask each other questions submitted by audience members, allowing the audience to see more of their own personalities.
This is an intelligent, highly engaging production, with the format and staging being especially conducive to audience participation this time around. Seth Howard’s meticulously crafted set is arranged with the audience set up around it, allowing Hand to more directly interact with those in attendance. Hand, as before, displays excellent charisma and energy as Heidi, bringing both entertainment and educational value to the presentation and giving it a highly personal tone that works well with the subject matter, allowing the audience to examine the Constitution through the way it affects individual Americans rather than as a more abstract history lesson. Moses is also strong as the Legionnaire, and Adams is lively and spirited in the debate and “interview” segments later in the show. It’s an excellent showcase for these fine performers, and especially Hand, whose portrayal of a real person is both relatable and memorable.
The overall production values are also superb, with strong work from lighting designer Denisse Chavez, sound designer Mary Louise Robinson, and costume designer Michele Friedman Siler, in addition to Howard’s aforementioned excellent set. What the Constitution Means to Me is a show that’s both timely, timeless, and personal, impacting American audiences in different ways depending on what’s going on in the world when they see it. This production is perhaps even more impactful now than its predecessor was three years ago. There’s a lot to think about here, and cause for reflection about the Constitution and what it means to all of us.
Michelle Hand, Riley Carter Adams
Photo by Ash Moon Thompson
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting What the Constituion Means to Me as part of their Steve Woolf Studio Series until November 15, 2026
