Play depicting life of New Jersey women’s suffrage activist Alice Paul filmed at her childhood home

An activist from New Jersey who played a critical role in women obtaining the right to vote is the focus of a new play recorded as a film.

News 12 Staff

Jan 31, 2021, 3:35 PM

Updated 1,272 days ago

Share:

An activist from New Jersey who played a critical role in women obtaining the right to vote is the focus of a new play recorded as a film.
The fight for women’s right to vote is told through the eyes of suffrage leader Alice Paul in the play “Votes for Women.” It is a historical drama recorded last year in Paul’s childhood home in Mount Laurel.
Joelle Zazz portrays Paul in the play. She says that being able to be inside Paul’s childhood home was impactful.
“As an actor, you don’t usually get to really go to the place where these people lived. We sort of have to put ourselves in the hearts and mindsets of these people,” she says. “To actually be there…it hit a lot closer to home than I think any other role I’ve done.”
Paul organized the pivotal 1913 suffrage march in Washington on which "Votes for Women" is based. It was an event that also exposed the racial divisions within the movement, including a confrontation with activist Ida B. Wells.
The play was produced by Speranza Theatre Company. The play was performed in parks throughout Jersey City last summer, with cast members required to wear masks due to COVID safety measures. Speranza's artistic director Heather Wahl wanted the project to reach an audience virtually.
“I had a ‘lightbulb moment’ of ‘What if?’ Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could film at Alice Paul’s childhood home?” Wahl says.
The property is now home to the Alice Paul Institute.
"Votes for Women" will be released for streaming this weekend, 100 years after Paul's efforts helped secure women the right to vote in 1920. It is also a little more than a week after the nation saw the first woman sworn in as vice president of the United States.
Tickets to Sunday's virtual premiere are available through the theater company's website.


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program