Bellevue College set to talk marriage equality with reading of “8”

Published 4:31 pm Monday, October 1, 2012

Bellevue College’s Department of Theatre Arts is set to stage a one-night-only reading of the groundbreaking Broadway play “8,” which chronicles the recent trial for marriage equality in California, with an ensemble cast of students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The play, penned by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, is a penetrating account of the U.S. District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown). This case, filed by the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), sought to overturn Proposition 8, a voter-approved amendment to the California constitution that eliminated gay and lesbian couples’ right to marry.

Based on the actual words from the trial transcripts, Black’s script features first-hand observations of the courtroom drama, and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families.

“This reading is powerful because it illuminates a pressing social issue in a theatrical way, and will hopefully encourage healthy dialogue about marriage equality not only on campus but in the community as well,” said the play’s director, Tammi Doyle, chair of the Theatre Arts department.

The reading will take place at the college’s Carlson Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Following the show, the cast will facilitate a talk with audience members to discuss the issues presented in the play.

There is no cost to attend the reading but tickets should be reserved at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/270305.