27th Great American Think-Off
Saturday, June 8, 2019 @ 7pm
Held @ NYM School Auditorium
Reception to follow @ Cultural Center

The 2019 Think-Off debate will be held at the James Mann Center for the Performing Arts (Auditorium) at the New York Mills School on Saturday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

We are pleased to announce that Ashley Hanson will be our moderator again this year! Ashley did a fabulous job moderating the debate last year and we are thrilled to have her return.

As a social practice theater artist, community organizer, and advocate for arts in rural areas, Ashley Hanson currently serves as the director of the Small Town CAIR (City Artist in Residence) program in Granite Falls, MN. She co-founded PlaceBase Productions, which creates original musical productions celebrating small town life, and founded the Department of Public Transformation, a national arts collective which supports rural-based artists. Hanson, a 2018 Obama Foundation Fellow, and recently-named 2019 Bush Fellow, believes strongly in the power of people, places, and play.

All are invited to join us for the Great Debate on June 8, 2019, and cast your vote to help select America’s Greatest Thinker for 2019!  And don’t miss the very fun after-debate reception held at the Cultural Center where you can enjoy complimentary refreshments and a cash bar, and engage the finalists in further discussion!

Tickets are on sale NOW!  $12 advance or $15 at the door; students $5.  Click below to buy online.

Buy Think-Off Tickets

 

This year’s Think-Off question is:

To vote or not to vote: does it matter?

This timeless yet timely philosophical topic will be debated by the 2019 top four essayists (in alphabetical order): Rick Brundage of St. Paul, MN; David Lapakko of Richfield, MN; Louise Megelkoch of Portland, Oregon; and Jen Nelson of Fridley, MN. Click below to learn more about these four finalists.

2019 Think-Off Finalists

For a list of the past 26 years of Think-Off questions, click below.

Think-Off History

Questions or want more information? Give us a call at 218-385-3339.