The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Suffs is coming to Dayton, bringing the powerful story of the American women’s suffrage movement to the Schuster Center stage.
What Is Suffs About?
Suffs tells the story of the women who fought for the passage of the 19th Amendment and secured the right to vote for women in the United States. The musical focuses on leaders such as Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, Ida B. Wells, and Carrie Chapman Catt, exploring the final, hard-fought decade of the suffrage movement.
Created by Shaina Taub, Suffs blends historical storytelling with contemporary energy, offering audiences a vivid look at the strategy, courage, and determination it took to expand voting rights. The show highlights not only political victories but also the disagreements, sacrifices, and perseverance that shaped the movement.
Why Suffs Matters Today
For the League of Women Voters, Suffs is more than a musical, it is a reminder of the power of civic engagement. The suffragists organized, marched, lobbied, and endured opposition in their fight for equal participation in democracy. Their efforts laid the foundation for the League of Women Voters, which was established to educate and empower newly enfranchised women voters.
The themes in Suffs remain deeply relevant. While the 19th Amendment marked a historic victory, the ongoing work to protect voting rights and ensure equitable access to the ballot continues. The musical underscores an important truth: democracy is strengthened when more voices are heard.
Suffs and the League of Women Voters
The national League of Women Voters partnered with Suffs during its Broadway run to connect audiences with the ongoing work of voter education and civic participation. The story portrayed on stage reflects the very origins of the League’s mission, empowering voters and defending democracy.
As Suffs comes to Dayton, it provides an opportunity for our community to reflect on the history of women’s activism and the continuing importance of informed participation in government. The League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area remains committed to nonpartisan voter education, candidate forums, ballot issue information, and advocacy for fair and accessible elections.
When and Where to See Suffs in Dayton
Suffs will be performed at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton as part of the Dayton Live Broadway Series. Community members are encouraged to visit Dayton Live for performance dates, ticket information, and show details.
Attending Suffs in Dayton is an opportunity to experience the story of the suffragists in a powerful and engaging way while honoring the legacy that continues to shape our democracy.
About the League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area
The League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy in the Dayton region. The League provides unbiased voter education, publishes the Voters Guide, hosts candidate forums and ballot issue discussions, conducts voter registration drives, and offers community programs on public policy and voting rights. The League does not support or oppose political parties or candidates for office. Membership is open to anyone age 16 or older who supports the League’s mission, with opportunities to engage in civic education, advocacy, and community outreach.
