On Thursday, September 19, NYU Steinhardt’s Verbatim Performance Lab (VPL) collaborated with the NYU Brademas Center and NYU Government Affairs to present a performance of The Kavanaugh Files to mark Constitution Day. The Kavanaugh Files is a gender-flipped verbatim reenactment of five moments from the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings held on September 27, 2018.
©Gallo: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
The performance, created by VPL’s Joe Salvatore and Keith R. Huff, explores the gender dynamics that were at play during the sworn testimonies by Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.
Stephanie Anderson, Daryl Embry, Analisa Gutierrez, Suzy Jane Hunt, Scott Michael Morales, and Robert M. Thaxton-Stevenson joined the performance as actors. Cassie Renee Holzum stage managed the performance which also featured costumes by Márion Talán.
The performance was followed by an audience discussion and Q&A session with Melissa Murray of NYU Law and members of the cast and creative team.
The Kavanaugh Files with the audience.
©Gallo: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
Speaking of the performance, Murray pointed out that it was interesting to see the then Judge Kavanaugh’s ‘manspreading’ during his testimony being emulated by a female actor.
A member of the audience agreed, stating that the performance illustrated “how differently men and women take space.”
Answering an audience member’s question on renewed calls to impeach Justice Kavanaugh, Murray stated that, “Given the nature of the allegations, if impeachment proceedings were to go forward, the interpretation of high crimes and misdemeanors would be lying under oath.”
VPL is grateful to the Brademas Center and NYU Government Affairs for collaborating with the Lab on this project, and wishes to thank NYU Kimmel Center for hosting the performance and NYU-TV for capturing it on video. We also invite members of the NYU community to stay engaged as we announce the details of our latest project on the 2020 Democratic primaries: ‘The Democratic Field 3’ in the coming weeks.
Front row (l to r): Robert M. Thaxton-Stevenson, Stephanie Anderson, Keith R. Huff.
©Gallo: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
Post by Sudaraka Ariyaratne