Upstate Films and Starr Library are proud to host NY Times bestselling authors Alexis Coe and Alyssa Mastromonaco (who also served as deputy chief of staff for Barack Obama) in a lively conversation about the presidency at the start of this election cycle. They will discuss fictional depictions of presidents in crisis mode, revealing how the electorate views national security and the highest office in the land. This discussion will draw on history and first-hand experience. $11 General Admission / $7 Members. Tickets available on Upstate's website.  

Are you more of a Selina Meyer fan, or all in for Morgan Freeman in Deep Impact? In the lead-up to the event, cast your vote for your favorite fictional president on our digital ballot.

About the Speakers:

Alexis Coe is a presidential historian and a fellow at New America, where she is thinking about the presidency in anticipation of America's 250th. She is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George of Washington and Alice+Freda Forever: A Murder in Memphis. She frequently appears on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, History, BBC, and PBS, and has been featured in and published by most major publications, including the New Yorker, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. She is a frequent guest on NPR and hosted the podcasts No Man's Land and Presidents Are People Too! 

Alexis lives outside of New York City with her young daughter. 

Alyssa Mende Mastromonaco is an American author, podcaster, spokeswoman, and former government official. She served as White House Deputy Chief of Staff for operations in the administration of President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2014. She was the youngest woman to hold that position.She was later President of Global Communications Strategy & Talent at A&E Networks and the chief operating officer of Vice Media. She has also been a contributing editor at Marie Claire magazine. Since 2017, Mastromonaco has been a podcaster with Crooked Media.