Civic Theatre Supports 'It Gets Better', 11/7

Civic Theatre of Allentown is asking anyone who wants to be a part of the Lehigh Valley edition of the national "It Gets Better" project to come to Civic's Theatre514 on Sunday, November 7th from 2-5pm. The "It Gets Better" project was launched to encourage and support GLBT youth, a reminder that all kinds of people from all kinds of places are united in an effort to raise awareness for tolerance and rights for all. Filming will be done on a first come, first serve basis. No sign-ups required. Everyone will get a maximum of 3 minutes on camera. For questions please call 610.432.8943.

"It Gets Better" is an internet-based project where various people in support of GLBT rights and tolerance submit video testimonials aimed at queer youth, to remind them that much of the harassment and injustices they face will get better in time. For more information and to view testimonials visit www.itgetsbetterproject.com.

Jaime Karpovich, a Bethlehem-based blogger (Save the Kales!, Heart of the Steel City) and the coordinator of this event, encourages everyone to come down to Civic to show their support for the GLBT community. "You don't have to live in a big city to feel like a part of a community," says Karpovich. She hopes the event will "make a positive and exciting statement. Hopefully people will feel great about it."

Karpovich is joined by Sarah Fulton and Matt Lewis of Post Sputnik, who will be filming and editing the footage to be submitted to "It Gets Better." Post Sputnik is a film, video, design and promotion business based in Allentown. "Post Sputnik is proud to volunteer its capabilities for this noble cause and is hopeful for the end of discrimination in its multitude of forms," say Fulton and Lewis. For more information on Post Sputnik visit www.postsputnik.com, or call 610-435-1864.

Civic Theatre Artistic Director William Sanders and Managing Director Arlene Daily opened up the theatre for the event "no questions asked!" according to Karpovich. Sanders has been a driving force in Lehigh Valley gay rights initiatives, as he's led Civic as it became the first theatre in the region to produce The Normal Heart, Angels in America, A Man of No Importance, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Execution of Justice and RENT, all of which deal with the topics of homosexuality and prejudice.

This event is open to anyone who wants to participate, and all are encouraged.