Some local performers are getting ready to rock the vote—quite literally.
“Delivering Democracy,” a street theatre performance featuring dancing and singing ballot drop boxes, will appear throughout the City of Philadelphia on Monday, Nov. 2 in an effort to entertain and inform local voters.
Performed by actors from Farm Arts Collective based on Willow Wisp Organic Farm in Damascus, Pennsylvania, and the creators of the project, artistic director Larry Bogad, and Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble in New York City, this non-partisan performance features a chorus of ballot drop boxes singing and dancing to the song, Please Mr. Postman, with new lyrics about voting, and will be followed by a distribution of pamphlets to share state voting rights information.
The uplifting, nonpartisan voter information campaign was designed to help voters across Pennsylvania know how and where to vote safely and as a result, expand participation on Election Day. The Dancing Drop Boxes will also ensure local voters know that they can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to get up to date and accurate information on all voting options. The ensemble recently performed as mailboxes, but as Election day nears, have changed into drop boxes.
The group will be showcasing their dance moves from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall then strutting their stuff to City Hall to entertain voters waiting on line to put ballots in the drop box. At 2 p.m., the Dancing Drop Boxes will walk to the Philadelphia Museum of Art with impromptu dances and photos along way and at 3 p.m. will run up the Rocky steps for a final performance.
The project is supported by the Center for Artistic Activism as part of their Unstoppable Voters Project.
The artists involved include artistic director Larry Bogad, Farm Arts Collective, Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble, New York City Theatrical Director Leese Walker, Jen Varbalow (costumes), Rolf Sturm (lyrics), Mary Workman and Ed Smitn (vocals), and Andrea Ariel (choreography).
