After celebrity readings on Broadway and in Hollywood, communities across America have been selected to produce their own readings. The cast is drawn from prominent actors in the community and HSU faculty and students. Among the participants are Michael Fields, James Floss, James Hitchcock, Christina Jioras, Susan Abbey, Michael Thomas, JM Wilkerson, Elisa Abelleira, James McHugh, Catherine L. Brown, Sam Machado, Juan Carlos Contreras and Shea King.
“Video of the trial was never released,” notes Clint Rebik, director of the HSU reading. “So this is the trial we did not get to see.”
The play by Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black is based largely on the 2010 trial that determined that the ban on same sex marriage by California Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. “People need to witness what happened in the Proposition 8 trial, if for no other reason than to see inequality and discrimination unequivocally rejected in a court of law where truth and facts matter,” Black said.
Though the judge declared that marriage equality is a Constitutionally protected right, the case has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In keeping with the aim of creating a community event, the requested donation is $5. Proceeds go to the American Federation for Equal Rights, which authorized the event.
“They stipulate that it’s to be a script-in-hand reading, “Rebik said. “But we have a courtroom set, and we include movement and interaction.”
There will be a panel to conduct audience discussion after the 90-minute performance, chaired by Richard Bruce, Administrative Support Coordinator for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and campus advisor to the Queer Student Union.
“This reading is held the week of our Campus Dialogue on Race, when we try to bring issues of exclusion and disenfranchisement to the forefront ” Rebik added. “This is one of those issues.”
Advance tickets are recommended from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928). This reading is produced by the HSU Department of Theatre, Film & Dance, with grants from HSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and Associated Students. More information: HSUStage.blogspot.com.