Professor Susan Appleton, Lemma Barkeloo & Phoebe Couzins Professor of Law, joined a panel of legal and community leaders following the performance of “What the Constitution Means to Me” on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. The discussion connected the play’s exploration of constitutional rights to current legal and political issues, including ones that faced Missouri voters during the recent Midterm election.
The panel, organized by Wendi Alper-Pressman, JD ’85, member of The Rep’s Board of Directors, brought together several members of the WashU Law and St. Louis communities. Local arts activist, director, and playwright Joan Lipkin facilitated the discussion, which included Denise Lieberman, WashU Law adjunct professor and director and general counsel of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, ,and Michael Burton, JD ’85, founder and executive director of St. Louis Survivors Support. Amy Kuo Hammerman, Missouri state policy advocate for the National Council of Jewish Women, also participated.
Since its 2019 premiere, “What the Constitution Means to Me” has earned widespread acclaim, including recognition as a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Written by Heidi Schreck, the play draws on her experience as a teenager competing in constitutional debate competitions to explore the Constitution’s influence across generations of women. Revisiting her 15-year-old self, Schreck examines how the document has shaped women’s lives, particularly in matters of reproductive rights, domestic violence and personal freedoms.
Learn more about the play and purchase tickets here. Students can get a discount by calling box office at 314-968-4925 and asking for a student rate.
