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Encouraging Positive Civil Discourse at the Sedona International Film Festival

By Tori Smith


The Sedona International Film Festival is known as the “Cultural Heart of Sedona.” Originally coined by the members of the crew, the moniker has stuck, and the festival has continued to drive that nickname into a purpose. They’ve done so by showcasing culturally diverse films and productions with multiple perspectives to open the minds of its community, starting earlier this year with a production based on a past president.


The Burton Family Foundation awarded a grant to the Sedona International Film Festival last year to support the History and Government Series, aimed at inspiring residents and high school students to engage in constructive dialogue and positive political discourse.


The festival has held events aimed at generating civil discourse, such as political forums, civic conversations, and even a mayoral debate in their theater before. After success with those events and other productions, the organization wanted to explore other small productions that provided a “home for a safe conversation,” said Patrick Schweiss, executive director.


Schweiss loves seeing the lightbulb moment when individuals from younger generations realize Theodore Roosevelt isn’t just a character in the “Night at the Museum” movie, but a former president that has substance. 

“The Teddy Roosevelt Show,” the one-man show by Joe Wiegand, debuted in Sedona in January 2024. The production has since traveled to communities around the country. Wiegand has been studying Theodore Roosevelt for decades, and as the 90-minute production continues, he plays the part seamlessly. He even conducts the question and answer segment at the end of the production in character as Roosevelt.


The production takes viewers chronologically through Roosevelt’s life. It starts with his childhood, his beliefs, opinions, and values, how he became established as a political leader, and even some of the controversies he faced throughout his life.


There was a talk-back with the audience, during which Schweiss said that people conveyed that they were proud to be an American after watching the production. Furthermore, he thought it was wonderful to see the generational unification that the production brought on. 


“It was wonderful to see 70 and 80-year-olds talking to 18-year-olds after the show and discussing what the generational gap means for civil discourse,” he said.

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"What the Constitution Means to Me" Coming Soon

The next production in the Festival’s History and Government Series will launch in January 2025, when audiences will experience a one-of-a-kind civic engagement production: “What the Constitution Means to Me.” 


Written by Heidi Schreck, “What the Constitution Means to Me,” was created in 2017 and premiered in 2018 at the New York Theatre Workshop, and then debuted on Broadway in 2019 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. The production considers how future generations will view the Constitution, centered around the idea of grappling with how to execute a healthy debate. 


“It felt like it kind of saved my life,” said Alex Keiper, who will be playing Heidi and saw the play for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Everything felt so dark at the time, there were so many reasons to be afraid.” 


Michael Doherty, Keiper’s partner and the future director of the play, had been acting at the Sedona International Film Festival for a few years prior, and when they were asked to pitch a show, they knew “What the Constitution Means to Me” was their go-to. “The play talks about things that might feel more academic in a personal way,” said Keiper. “They’re still interesting and make you laugh, which is nice.”


The play is interacting and engaging, but not just for the audience members. During the performance, a high school student is on-stage debating Heidi, the main character, about the Constitution. During the time of the interview for this article, auditions were in progress at a local high school to determine who would partake in the production. 


The high school student will have the opportunity to train with both Keiper and Doherty to practice both sides of the argument for the Constitution. 


“We’re not training them to act and put on a character,” Keiper said. “We want to make sure the student is incredibly comfortable with the material…a lot of the ideas are pre-written, but we’re encouraging the student to make it their own and based on their own experiences.”


Not only will the high school student train on both sides of the argument, the audience will then have a chance to provide their own opinions and ask questions. 


“It can be really fun,” Keiper said. “If everyone in the room is on the same page to discuss ideas and not shout at each other, then it can be thrilling. The hope for this play is you feel like you trust this character enough based on her vulnerability and knowledge of the Constitution that she’s not going to shut you down, but wants everyone to be civil.”


The people Keiper wants to reach the most with this production are the people that might feel like politics doesn’t affect them. After having experience under her belt, she realized how important her vote is, she said.


“Anything you can do for the individual, and for the whole, it’s worth doing,” she said. 


Doherty, the future director, said breaking down the fourth wall between the audience and the characters can feel lovely, and it reminds everyone that they’re all in the same space together. 


The pair said they’re both already grinning about the conversations they’re going to have during their time at the Sedona International Film Festival.


If you're interested in learning more about the Sedona International Film Festival, please visit https://sedonafilmfestival.com.


Photos courtesy of Sedona International Film Festival.



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