Overview
Who would you forgive?
Minnesota convicts who have served their time are given the opportunity after five years to apply for “Forgiveness.” Appearing in front of the Governor and his panel, they can explain, in ten minutes set by a timer, the reasons they want or deserve it. If they receive forgiveness, their rights as a citizen are restored: the ability to vote, possess firearms, and freedom to travel throughout the U.S. and abroad. They no longer have to identify themselves as former convicts, which makes a huge difference in their abilities to get better jobs and housing.
Your decision?
The audience votes to forgive or not forgive the four applicants.
Casting & Production
Casting
Four Actors play the former convicts, the Governor, and his panel.
Each Actor gets to present their own case.
ACTOR A
MARTIN JOHNSON
MR. MCSHANE
BOARD
ACTOR B
FLORENCE PULLMAN
MACY BROWN
BOARD
ACTOR C
DONNIE BLAZER
FATHER NICHOLS
BOARD
ACTOR D
LIZZIE JAMES
VIOLET HALL
BOARD
Author’s Note:
The testimonies and questioning in FORGIVENESS are adapted from transcripts of the Minnesota Pardoning Board’s “Pardon Extraordinary” hearings, all in public domain.
Names of those testifying and identifying elements have been changed for privacy’s sake.
Setting
PLACE
The Minnesota State House Auditorium.
TIME
The present.
Reviews
“FORGIVENESS is a gem of an opportunity for its diverse ensemble of two male and two female actors… Intellectually stimulating, emotionally gut wrenching.”
— Berkshire Eagle
“The fact that we have to vote was a device that assured our full and rapt attention. I have never felt more involved in an evening of theater.”
— Berkshire Fine Arts
