What You Should Do Instead of Watching the Inauguration

Promotional Photo for the author’s Inauguration Day Reading of The Taming, Courtesy of Emily Scott

Attend a reading of The Taming

If you’re artistically inclined, or even like live entertainment, you’ll enjoy this theatrical anti-inauguration event. After the results of the election, playwright Lauren Gunderson and Playscripts, Inc. announced that anyone who would like to perform a reading of Gunderson’s play The Taming on Inauguration Day may do so for free. The project is frequently identified with the hashtag #TameTrump, and it has become a widespread theatrical response to the election. Women theatre artists all over the country have taken this opportunity to fight back artistically.  And many have chosen to donate the proceeds to organizations like Planned Parenthood or the ACLU. There are more than 40 productions currently planned, from Atlanta to Cincinnati to Houston to San Francisco – which, incidentally, is where the one I am directing and acting in will be performing.

Loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, The Taming is about three very different women: a staffer for a conservative senator, a liberal blogger, and a Miss America contestant. Somehow, they all find themselves stuck in a hotel room attempting a Constitutional Convention. They spend the whole play hashing out their views, playing Founding Father, and rewriting the defining document of our democracy, in the hopes of saving the nation.

We all fear that the inclusion of women’s voices in politics will be distinctly lacking in the next four years. That’s part of what makes this all-female play so intensely relevant. The fact that The Taming is about three women arguing, agreeing, and taking up space on a stage makes this an empowering experience for performers and audience alike. Check out the growing list of Inauguration Day readings of The Taming. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to think, connect, and laugh.

Watch the Facebook Live Love-a-Thon

A group of entrepreneurs, including Alex Godin, Sam Koppelman, Dan Shipper, and Kara Silverman, are utilizing Facebook Live to host a modern day telethon. The Love-A-Thon is a three-hour Facebook Live event the afternoon of January 20^th. The intention is to raise $500,000 to benefit three worthy causes: the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Earthjustice.

On the Love-A-Thon Facebook event page, you can find details about the broadcast. “Artists, musicians, and actors…are coming together live on Inauguration Day to bring you a broadcast packed with music, comedy and surprises you don’t want to miss. Of course, without you, we won’t be able to support the causes that need us.” According to the Facebook page, artists who have been added to the Love-A Thon lineup include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judd Apatow, Jane Fonda, Jamie Lee Curtis, Patricia Arquette, Christopher Guest, Tim Robbins and Jeff Tweedy from the band Wilco.

The group hopes to raise $500,000 for the at-risk charities, all while spreading love. If you can watch to support this Inauguration alternative, great. If you can donate, even better.

Volunteer

Now is the time to help and support our most vulnerable populations. So volunteering is incredibly important, especially for people who could be further disenfranchised under the Trump administration. Do some research on what organizations in your community support women, racial minorities, Muslims, and other marginalized people. Contact your local mosque, thank them for being part of your community, and ask how you can help. Find out what you can do for a nearby women’s shelter. Hold a book drive for a public school in your area. Escort patients past protestors at Planned Parenthood. There is always, always, always something you can do.

Hidden Figures, Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox

Write and call your senators and representatives

Writing and calling your representatives is one of the most effective things you can do as a citizen. Regardless of whether you live in a liberal or conservative state, it’s worth it to make your voice heard. The senators and reps who agree with you need to know they have your support, and those who don’t need to know that they won’t get re-elected.

As a person with anxiety, I know how hard calling your representatives can be. But it helps me to make a plan and take as much time as I need. Also, if you feel like company will help, or if you think it’ll just be fun, consider having a resistance party. Invite friends over to all write and call your senators together. Maybe combine it with one of the other activities on this list! Check out a reading of The Taming after, or watch the Love-a-Thon at the same time. Having the support of friends can help motivate you to do as much as possible to make your voice heard.

So, go find the phone numbers of your representatives and the contact information for your senators.  Gather some friends, sit down with some snacks, and get to work.

See a movie – but not just any movie

Your money as a consumer is one of the most powerful tools you have. It may not be right, but film, music, and literature are all industries that are heavily driven by financial success. Meaning that every time you go out and spend money to see a movie, you’re essentially voting on what kind of movies you want production companies to make more of.

So if you want to use your anti-Inauguration to promote and support women and minorities, go see a movie. But see Moonlight. See Fences. See Hidden Figures. Pick something that will tell production companies, “I want more realistic representations of black people in film.” Tell them, “I want to see stories about smart, competent women doing great work.” Tell them, “I want to see stories about the struggles and triumphs of members of the LGBT+ community.”

Next: Things To Do In D.C. When You’re Here For The Women’s March

Vote for the thing you want to see more of. It really makes a difference.