The POTUS Rally for Women
in Times Square
In honor of these unprecedented partnerships, POTUS hosted a free event to launch the POTUS Coalition: the POTUS on Broadway's Times Square Rally for Women. Hosted by comediennes Joyelle Nicole Johnson and Dana Goldberg, the event, immediately preceding POTUS's opening matinee performance, included POTUS cast members and remarks by each POTUS Coalition partner, as well as special remarks from Dolores Huerta, music from DJ Amber Valentine, Ethiopian-Eritrean delights from woman-owned Makina Cafe, limited giveaways including the play's notorious Blushies (aka Blue Slushies), and on-site voter registration from I AM A VOTER.
"In every joke, there is a tiny revolution of truth," said playwright Selina Fillinger during a "More To Talk About" conversation with author and activist Jamia Wilson, Gloria Steinem, and host Andrea Ambam. "And that laughter can set us free," added Steinem. POTUS on Broadway's Times Square Rally for Women gathered to liberate the fun of POTUS, from the walls of the Shubert Theater to the streets of Times Square.
Over POTUS’s eight-week run on Broadway, More To Talk About held eight free, in-person and livestreamed conversations featuring the cast and creatives of POTUS, representatives from The POTUS Coalition, and additional thought leaders, exploring real world topics/themes all ignited by the farce, POTUS. These conversations took place at Henrietta Hudson in New York City, one of the last remaining lesbian bars in the country.
The conversations were then adapted into the second season of the More To Talk About podcast, where Host Andrea Ambam digs even deeper into the topics and themes ignited by POTUS.
Feminism & The White House
In an exciting conversation moderated by Andrea Ambam, join feminist greats, Gloria Steinem and Jamia Wilson, in conversation with playwright Selina Fillinger as they explore the past, present, and future of intersectional feminism and politics through the lens of POTUS.
(Re)Shaping The Story of Women of Color in Politics
Join host Andrea Ambam in conversation with cast member Suzy Nakamura, president of She The People, Aimee Allison, and political narrative strategist Maya Contreras, and explore how reshaping the cultural narrative can support the on-the-ground effort for more women of color in politics.
MOTHERHOOD IS POLITICAL, TOO
More To Talk About host Andrea Ambam moderates this rich conversation between Vote Mama Founder and CEO Liuba Grechen Shirley, NYS Senate candidate Françoise Olivas, and POTUS's Lisa Helmi Johanson, as they explore the political landscape for mothers and caregivers running for office, the issues they are uniquely fit to address, and why we need more moms and caregivers in the white house.
BLACK WOMEN & DEMOCRACY
Join activist and Black Voters Matter Co-Founder LaTosha Brown and POTUS’s Vanessa Williams, in a conversation moderated by Andrea Ambam, as they get real about the role that Black women have played in uplifting and protecting democracy in America. Looking forward, they discuss how we can move beyond praise and into tangible support of Black women’s political power.
Dismantling Obstacles to Equality: An Urgent Excavation In Honor of Pride and Resistance
Join Carol Jenkins and Zakiya Thomas of the ERA Coalition, activist Charlotte Clymer, and POTUS’s Lea Delaria, in a conversation moderated by Andrea Ambam. The urgent need for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, as well as tools of resistance for personal, local, and national activation—such as the creativity and narrative power of POTUS, live theater, and art—will be examined.
Majority Rules: Feminism On the Ballot
In POTUS, Harriet (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is the president’s chief of staff and is the real reason the country hasn’t fallen apart yet, though her achievements have always lived under the president’s spotlight. Hosted by Andrea Ambam join us in conversation with Julie White (the tony-nominated actress who plays Harriet), Amanda Brown Lierman (Executive Director of Supermajority Education Fund ), and Stephanie L. Young (Executive Director of When We All Vote), as we seek to dismantle the narratives that keep women from achieving greater political power and organize around what it means to operate with a feminist agenda that creates greater equity for us ALL.
My Body, My Choice: Sexual & Reproductive Justice
In POTUS, Dusty (1 of the 7 women trying to keep a great dumbass alive) is the president’s dalliance and one of the most unexpected voices for reproductive rights (and other hot button issues) throughout the show. She’s also got a knack for conflict mediation. In conversation with Gisela Chípe (POTUS company), Nancy Northup (President & CEO of Center for Reproductive Rights), and Yolanda Miranda (National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice), host Andrea Ambam talks all things body autonomy including the right to choose, and how organizers across the country are working to protect every person’s right to access safe and affordable reproductive care.
THE
POTUS
COALITION
Created and led by Level Forward, the formation of The POTUS Coalition revolutionized, transformed, and established a higher standard and new path forward for the potential of Broadway’s social, cultural, and civil impact. This unique impact mission for POTUS—to inspire civic engagement and action - led to community engagement, awareness-raising, and fundraising results. The Coalition used the cultural currency of POTUS, Broadway, star power and the unique partnership bridge between artists and activists to amplify, mobilize, and empower Broadway audiences, fans, and beyond to consider and choose various means of participating in civic life.