Barter Theatre to Host Reading of Dustin Lance Black's 8, 10/22

Barter Theatre will host a one-night-only reading of "8" on October 22 at 7:15 pm at The Tent on Barter Square. "8" is a play chronicling the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8, an attempt to ban same-sex marriage, and is written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and American Foundation of Equal Rights (AFER) Founding Board Member Dustin Lance Black.

The special event will serve as a fundraiser to benefit the Pride Community Center of the Tri-Cities, a local non-profit organization created to nurture and empower the LGBT community of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Theatres across the country have been involving their communities and staging readings of "8." Megan Atkinson, who has long used theatre as a vehicle of social change and discourse, spearheaded the project with the PCC and Barter Theatre.

Barter Theatre has long been an active member in its community and officials are excited to play host to this special event.

"We want The Tent to become a place in the Abingdon community where social dialogue takes place. Since the issues of same-sex marriage and equality are current issues in Virginia, and Barter is the State Theatre of Virginia, once approached, we viewed the hosting of this play in our community as both a natural fit and an obligation to Barter's commitment to being a gathering place where we can conduct open conversations on important topics pertinent to our lives," said Richard Rose, Barter Theatre's producing artistic director.

On October 6, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not hear appeals from five states, including Virginia, whose same-sex marriage bans had been invalidated by lower federal courts.

"Certainly the case, Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now called Hollingsworth v. Perry) is a major landmark case for the U.S. Supreme Court, but also, is an important and significant issue for Virginia," said Rose.

The play is written from court transcripts and actual interviews.

"This is a factual play based on the real outcome of the California court," said Rose. "Barter hosts this reading to be inclusive. We can't help people who want to remain divided, nor can we turn away from the needs of members of our society whose rights are being ignored. It should be no surprise that Barter staff and artists would be pro-equal rights on this issue, and almost any other issue of equality. In fact, Barter Theatre was the first racially integrated theatre in the U.S., and has historically stood on the side of equality."

Many in the community will be reading parts in "8," and there will be a panel discussion following the performance, which will include legal experts, individuals from equal rights organizations and religious leaders.

The reading will be held at 7:15 pm. Tickets are $10. Attendees are also invited to join in a welcome reception with officials from Equality Virginia, Pride Community Center of the TriCities, and distinguished panelists. The reception will begin at 6:00 pm, before the reading, and tickets are $20 (includes reception and reading). All proceeds will go directly to Pride Community Center of the Tri-Cities. This event is sponsored by George A. Whitley, Attorney at Law. Call 276.628.3991 or visit BarterTheatre.com for tickets.

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