dear george:
letters to the president
WRITE YOUR LETTER | READ LETTERS
The election is over. Our voices still matter.
As he faces his second term, what do you have to say?
40 Theatres Coast-to-Coast presented Dear George in October, 2004
"Dear George: Letters to the President" has been a remarkable success. From the wide range of opinions expressed to the large number of theatres across the country that gave voice to these letters, "Dear George" has surprised at every turn.
We are continuing to collect letters for future productions.
Dear George: Letters to the President is a compilation of Americans’ open letters written to President George W. Bush during this election year. The letters come from all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands as well as Americans overseas and cover a wide range of opinions on every major issue including the War in Iraq, the economy, gay marriage and 9/11. The 85-minute "readers theatre" piece is intentionally non-partisan so many sides of the issues are addressed, reflecting the climate of the current national debate.
PARTICIPATING THEATRES | WRITE YOUR LETTER | READ LETTERS
After kickoff in Manhattan, productions opened across the country. For more information on how to
Present this project at your theatre, please contact us directly.
On Thursday, September 23, 2004, West 50th street Productions presented Dear George: Letters to the President at the Freedom of Expression National Monument in Lower Manhattan. The piece was presented twice, with additional letters from New Yorkers also presented.
The Freedom of Expression National Monument is public artwork by architect Laurie Hawkinson, performer John Malpede, and visual artist Erika Rothenberg and is presented by Creative Time and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council now through November 13, 2004. A plaque on the monument reads “You are cordially invited to step up and speak up.”
Thursday’s event served as a “kickoff” for the project’s larger life. Throughout the month of October, Dear George: Letters to the President will be performed by at least twenty other theatre companies across the country. It will be performed in both “red” states (Alaska, Wyoming, Texas, Utah) and “blue” states (California, New York) as well as several “swing” states (North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arkansas, Maine and Minnesota).
Summary
Dear George: Letters to the President is a compilation of open letters written to President George W. Bush this election year. At a time when public opinion of the President is so sharply divided, interpreting the division through binary polls does not do justice to the passion and intelligence of the American people. From the economy and gay marriage to 9/11 and the War in Iraq, Americans’ experiences are far too complex to be adequately reflected by sound bytes or approval ratings. Americans of all ages, backgrounds and political viewpoints have been and are encouraged to participate.
The overwhelming response to our request for letters has made it evident that the project demands a larger audience than our New York City production can accommodate. Because the piece has an immediate relevance, we are inviting theatre companies across the country to join our efforts and help us share this unique collection with a national audience.
Dear George: Letters to the President is being made available to all theatre companies, large and small, interested in presenting it concurrently with our New York production this October 2004. Whether performed for several weeks or one-night only, Dear George: Letters to the President is guaranteed to be a provocative theatrical event during what is sure to be a highly explosive election season.
letters
Our own stories, identities and hopes inform our politics. A letter is a very intimate form of communication, and this intimacy can create a very special theatrical experience. The play may be funny, tragic, revealing or provocative. We sincerely hope it will be all of these things. As its ultimate shape depends entirely on what you write, we welcome letters on all subjects from all viewpoints.
We have collected letters throughout the summer and have enjoyed reading them all. A selection of letters is posted on our 'daily letters' page. This is not to encourage or discourage any specific type of letter or subject but merely to share a portion of what we receive with a larger audience.