By AJ Jaffari

What happens when a document written centuries ago is forced to answer to the lives it still governs today? What the Constitution Means to Me at Hillbarn Theatre is urgent, personal, and deeply thought-provoking, blending history, autobiography, and debate into a piece that feels as intimate as it is political. Rather than offering easy answers, the play invites its audience to sit with discomfort, reflection, and the evolving meaning of democracy itself.

Framed through the lens of personal storytelling and public discourse, the show examines how the Constitution has shaped—and failed—generations of Americans, particularly women. Hillbarn’s production leans into the play’s raw honesty, creating a theatrical experience that feels less like a performance and more like a conversation we’re long overdue to have.

Hillbarn consistently excels at creating deeply intimate theatrical experiences, and this production is no exception. I went in mostly blind—as I often do—only knowing that the show promised to be thought-provoking and informative. And it was just that.

The shining star is Kimberly Donovan, who somehow makes what feels like the world’s longest monologue utterly captivating. She kept me so deeply engaged in the world of the show that I often forgot the ideas she was presenting weren’t theoretical, but painfully real. Anyone who has seen Donovan perform before knows her stage presence is formidable and her storytelling abilities exceptional—but here, she managed to do something different. I’m still not entirely sure how she achieved it, and that mystery only adds to my admiration.

The production design was equally compelling. Jenna Forder’s set was beautifully crafted—warm and inviting, yet always reminiscent of a cabinet-like home filled with history and memory. Cameron Pence delivered some of the most striking lighting I’ve seen in a production of this scale, using subtle shifts to isolate key moments and guide the audience through the play’s emotional turns with precision. Jeff Mockus’s sound design was, as always, exceptional, incorporating delicate rises of distant voices and music that perfectly matched the show’s charged atmosphere. And finally, credit must go to director Susannah Martin, who led this small but mighty cast with a clear, poignant vision, fully capturing the urgency and importance of a story that truly needs to be heard.

What the Constitution Means to Me runs through February 8th and tickets are available here.