←Recommendations of Rights Restored (a monologue)

This monologue would be great for an audition! Funny, endearing, and reflective -- all within minutes. Tackles an important issue without taking itself too seriously.

I had the chance to see this monologue performed at Ohio University and it blew me away. "Rights Restored" employs Olivia Matthews' patent humor to tell a story that is full of heart. I hope that this monologue gets performed all around the country, especially as we move into election season.

I really like this tiny play and the big news it reflects, and that the playwright is responding so quickly to the voting situation in Florida. Which is its own story. I like how Liv deals with the exposition Gina shares through her dialogue, and that she has created such a believable young character - a character who is a character with a wonderful heart.

This monologue gives us so much life and character as it navigates it's way around voting rights, the flawed justice system, second chances, civic pride, the feeling of "how much does my vote count in this screwed system," all of the years people of color lose for small infractions that non-POCs would never even get community service for, and so much more. I am obsessed with Matthews voice and ability to give us so much in so few pages.

Who doesn't love a voting sticker? This monologue is so funny, and pointed. I love how direct Matthews makes it, there's such a clear drive to it. You also learn a ton about Gina in the brief time we have with her, and it never feels like exposition. The comedy is punctuated by a couple of sobering moments in the script, and the two tones play off one another beautifully. Really well done.

This character — "GINA" — is a pleasure to hear in my mind. She's weathered and wise, but still manages some great zingers - Matthews shapes this heartfelt piece with sharp humor and wry social commentary, covering extraordinary ground in just two pages as she touches on so many relevant responses to the passing of Florida's Amendment 4, or, the Second Chance Act. This powerful piece would be a terrific addition to a production of short plays on voting rights, or plays focused on women's rights. It's just so well done.

A powerful monologue that reminds us of the power of voting and how necessary this act is for marginalized citizens. One of my favorite voting plays. A smart choice for your festival on voting rights or issues re: minorities in America.

Liv Matthews has written a fine monologue, given here by a woman genuinely proud of, and excited by, exercising her right to vote - finally, and for the first time - unable to do so till now. Where the writing gets particularly clever is when the character, Gina, seems to be acknowledging the social currency that picture proof of following through this civic duty has for her. Like with the people she sees on social media, in which she was also late to the table, she can tell that everything is connected, except for maybe men's fish pictures on Tinder.