Party Over Principle? Not in 1950: Powerstories Theatre Brings Margaret Chase Smith's Historic Takedown to Tampa

If you''ve spent any time observing modern politics, you''ve likely noticed a recurring phenomenon: the startling, near-complete extinction of the political spine. Standing up to your own party line during a wave of national paranoia isn''t just rare — it''s practically treated as a mythic act on par with slaying a dragon.

Enter 1950. Senator Joseph McCarthy was running rampant through Washington, wielding fear, character assassination, and baseless accusations like a toddler with a loaded megaphone. Most politicians ducked for cover. But Margaret Chase Smith — a freshman Republican from Maine and the only woman in the U.S. Senate — decided she had seen enough.

In Joe DiPietro''s compelling political drama Conscience, Powerstories Theatre brings this high-stakes moment of moral backbone straight to the Tampa stage for a three-day staged reading, August 14–16.

DiPietro''s script dives into the high-wire act behind Smith''s legendary "Declaration of Conscience" speech. Stepping onto the Senate floor, Smith didn''t just challenge the opposition — she turned her gaze directly toward her own party, warning against the dangers of turning fear into a political weapon and trading fundamental fairness for short-term electoral gain.

The play doesn''t shy away from the darker, personal toll of the era either. Beyond the famous "Red Scare," Conscience tackles the brutal reality of the "Lavender Scare" — a government-backed campaign that systematically purged LGBTQIA+ federal workers. McCarthy was not above hurling homophobic attacks at Smith''s own devoted aide, Bill Lewis. Rather than cutting ties to protect her political standing, Smith chose loyalty and decency over self-preservation.

Naturally, doing the right thing came with immediate fallout: retaliatory attacks, personal smears, and a deliberate effort by party bosses to sideline her career.

Now in its 26th season — built around the thematic banner of the "Greater Good" — Powerstories Theatre continues its vital mission of amplifying true stories of women whose courage reshaped history.

The Director''s Lens: Directed by Powerstories Executive Artistic Director Clareann Despain, the production aims to peel back the historical bronze plaque to reveal the vulnerable, agonizing choices made behind closed doors.

The Lead: Local powerhouse actor Roxanne Fay steps into the shoes of Senator Smith, capturing both the daunting weight of standing isolated in the chamber and the fierce resolve required to speak up anyway.

As Despain emphasizes, looking back at Smith''s stand isn''t merely an academic history lesson — it is a sharp, necessary mirror reflecting our current political climate.

Whether you are a history buff, a theater enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to experience what a politician sacrificing career ambitions for moral principle looks like, Conscience offers a poignant, sharply written evening of theater.

What: Conscience by Joe DiPietro (PowerUp Staged Reading)
When: August 14–16
Where: Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Ste 151, Tampa, FL
Tickets & Information: powerstories.com/conscience