THE VOTING/MATTERS DEBATE "To Vote” or “Not To Vote” that is the question our fighters must answer in this head to head heavyweight bout! The opponents, Ima B. Voting and Don T. Matters, will go toe to toe in what's being called the fight of the century!!! These two will go back and forth in the ring delivering body punches and uppercuts on their voting stance, until someone reigns supreme. Ima B. Voting is a brawler that's not afraid to hit her opponent right in the button. Meanwhile, Don T. Matters is a strong contender, shoe-shining on the canvas to win his argument. This debate is sure to end in a slobber-knocker with both adversaries looking for the KO punch. Who will be crowned the champion? And who will be left on the ropes? Will this fight end in a split decision? Or will one of these great fighters throw in the towel? It’s up to you to take home the purse and decide, “If Voting Matters.” DATE & TIME: October 20, 2018 @ 2:30pm -3:30pm LOCATION: North Hill Library 183 E.Cuyahoga Falls Ave Akron, Ohio 44312 COST: FREE!!! THE ENSEMBLE: Improviser: Abby Darin Improviser: Ruben Ryan Ring Girl: Colton Reynolds Madge E. Rator: Jennifer Betz Don T. Matters: Kyle Jozsa Ima B. Voting: Nici Romo ABOUT 'WINNER TAKES ALL': Wandering Aesthetics intends to host the debate of the century -- a battle royal for the heart of democracy. The hour-long debates will utilize a range of comedic techniques -- from slapstick to clowning -- to engage viewers and build conversation around a central question: “Should I vote?” They will take place once a week in the month leading up to the November midterm elections, starting on October 6th at the Electric Pressure Cooker Cabaret. ABOUT JOY OF VOTING: Launched two years ago with Knight Foundation support, Citizen University, a non-profit based in Seattle piloted its Joy of Voting program in four cities for the November 2016 general election. The project has expanded to additional cities, including four locations for midterm elections in 2018. The Joy of Voting project derives its vision from an article in The Atlantic written by Citizen University founder and CEO Eric Liu, in which he argues that it’s possible to revive 18th and 19th century practices of raucous, participatory activity and pageantry around elections in an inclusive 21st century way. “Instead of ‘eat your vegetables’ or ‘do your duty,’ voting should feel more like ‘join the club,’” said Liu. “Or, better yet, ‘join the party.’” “During last year’s election cycle, we saw such hunger and excitement around these creative, fun, in-person activities. With just a little bit inspiration, it was thrilling to see what projects everyone came up with,” said Ben Phillips, senior program manager at Citizen University and director of the Joy of Voting project. “This is about bringing together communities to see and be with each other face-to-face in joyful ways. That’s where power, and participation, and real bottom-up change begins. We can’t wait to see what sort of creativity is unleashed in these communities in the coming months.” Winning organizations in Akron include the Asian Services in Akron Inc., the Big Love Network, MA’Sue Productions, Wandering Aesthetics, and the W.O.M.B Community Garden. ABOUT CITIZEN UNIVERSITY: Citizen University is a national nonprofit based in Seattle that promotes and teaches the art of powerful citizenship. In addition to the Joy of Voting, programs and initiatives include the Civic Collaboratory, a civic leadership network; Sworn-Again America, a project on civic rituals; the Citizen University National Conference; and programs and resources to teach civic power. For more, visit citizenuniversity.us -- *Nici Romo* Managing Artistic Director Dunamis Theatre