Staged Drama to Detail Same-Sex Legistlation

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Title

Staged Drama to Detail Same-Sex Legistlation

Description

The chronology of California’s battle for
same-sex marriage will be perform ed at UT. A reading of “8," a play written by Dustin Lance Black, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of “Milk,” will be staged at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 5, at the Ula Love Doughty Carousel Theatre."...

Source

University of Tennessee Daily Beacon

Publisher

Knoxville, Tenn. : University of Tennessee

Date

2012-10-31

Language

English

Coverage

Knoxville, Tennessee

Text Item Type Metadata

Text

The chronology of California’s battle for
same-sex marriage will be perform ed at UT.
A reading of “8," a play written by Dustin
Lance Black, Academy A ward-winning
screenwriter of “M ilk,” will be staged at 7:00
p.m. on Monday, November 5, at the Ula
Love Doughty Carousel Theatre.

The one-night event is free and open to
the public; tickets will be available at the
door.


“8” details the aftermath of Proposition 8,
the state of California’s constitutional amendment that banned same-sex marriage. The script draws from Perry v.
Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), a
case that challenged and overturned
Proposition 8.

The event is presented by U T ’s Commission for LGBT People in partnership
with the UT Theatre Department,
Central Program Council’s Issues
Committee and Amnesty International. Dimi Venkov, senior in theatre, is directing
the play.

Venkov heard about “8 ” earlier this year
and wanted UT to be part of the play’s reach.

“I read back in February about a high-profile
reading of ‘8’ in Los Angeles with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and other famous names. I researched the play, and the website
offered the opportunity to stage readings,”
said Venkov. “Because I have experience
directing and producing plays on campus,
I jumped at this opportunity.”

But unlike the Los Angeles production,
this one will consist of more than just actors.
“I wanted to include non-actors, non-students— anybody and everybody who is passionate about the case and the larger issue of marriage equality,” said Venkov.

After the performance, the cast and marriage equality advocates will lead a question-and-answer session about the issue.

Ben Byers, chair of Knoxville’s branch of
Tennessee Equality Project, will be among
the panel members.

“We need to take a close look at the circumstances surrounding Proposition 8,
especially the thoughts and feelings of the
people w ho voted for and against it,” said
Byers. “We need to better understand their
values, fears, and attitudes so that progress
can be made towards equality for everyone.”

For more information about “8,” visit the
play’s website.

For more information about the
Commission for LGBT People, visit
lgbt.utk.edu.

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