Prop 8 Love Stories

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"Best Special Theater Event"

"HIGH HIGH PRAISE!"

~Anna Deavere Smith

Actors 10 to 17-years-old interviewed 8 couples

(3 mixed gender & 5 same gender)

about

LOVE, LIFE, & DISCRIMINATION

Now watch these young actors portray those couples, word for word,
in the most potent, moving, and hilarious theatre you've ever seen.

"MUST SEE - KILLER SHOW!!!

You gotta go! It is just THAT GOOD!

I cried and laughed hard (out LOUD!) many times!

It is RIVETING!"

- Cheryl O'Donnell

Make a Donation
to help this Elephant begin its walk around the world!

Praise for PROP 8 LOVE STORIES

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C

HIGH HIGH PRAISE!

~Anna Deavere Smith

"RIVETING!"

~Cheryl O'Donnell

"BRILLIANT"

~Kim Connolly

"IF ONLY ALL THEATER WAS THIS GOOD!"

~Michelle Wing

"THE NEXT LARAMIE PROJECT"

~Dr. Davina Kotulski

"I CRIED and LAUGHED HARD (OUT LOUD) many times!"

~Cheryl O'Donnell

"AWE-INSPIRING!"

- Tamara Cover

"Oh. My. God. What an incredible evening. I fear that mere words can not adequately describe how compelling, funny, memorable, touching, and satisfying this entertainment is."

-Ken Gallegos, Executive Director, Human Resources San Rafael City Schools

"If Only All Theater Was This Good

I saw some of the best drama I've seen in ages - and the actors were all kids. ... as they stand on stage with their words of compassion and fear, bewilderment and hope, yearning and dreams... This is the sort of drama that should get extended runs, playing to audiences around the country, with kids from Kansas and Louisiana and Alaska taking on these roles. This is about opening hearts, one audience member, one cast member, at a time."

-Michelle Wing, Poet & Writer

"Get in your cars (or hop a plane) and go see 'Prop 8 Love Stories'. Brian Glenn Bryson, director and creator, along with an amazingly talented group of kids have developed an awesome piece of theater and it is not to be missed."
-Jennifer Light, President of Bay Area Creative Services Staffing firm, Berkeley

I cannot begin to tell you how many ways it touched me. I laughed and cried several times in the evening. It was truly amazing. This is one of those once in a lifetime shows that should tour the high schools. Thank you for your brilliant work. I will never forget it.

-Kim Connolly, Clinical Program Manager, Braun School

"I just got back from this--man, what an AMAZING show! Definitely seeing again :)"
- Grace Asheley Welch, Casa Grande H.S. Student, Petaluma

"Do yourself a favor and go see this amazing marriage equality play - great for the whole extended family or also a romantic date night - whether LGBT or S - it is written and performed by the most talented teenagers you will ever see with original music - I promise - you WILL thank me for telling you to go."

- Molly McKay Attorney & Civil Rights Activist / Interviewee, Oakland

"Brilliant. Youth theater that is surprisingly heartful and well crafted. Please go."

- Melecio Estrella, Professional Dancer / Interviewee, Oakland

"We were blown away! You all have created an important work and I want to help it reach as wide an audience as possible."

-Gary Carnivele, Outbeat Radio KRCB 91FM

"A thoroughly professional, polished production that is touching, thought-provoking, and humorous." - Nancy Wilson, MENSA member

The play is AMAZING. I wanted to smooch every one of those kids' faces. Thank you for creating such a hopeful work of art!

-Angela Garcia, Social Worker/Interviewee, Petaluma

Great work!!! I think it's the next Laramie Project.

- Dr. Davina Kotulski, Psychologist / Interviewee, Oakland

"Fabulous!!! It was most profound and awe-inspiring! Loved the whole experience! Can't wait to see it again!"

- Tamara Cover, Petaluma

Photography by Rosemarie Lion/ www.LionPhotography.com

The Interviews

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Phyllis Lyon (Born in 1925) is the first woman to legally marry another woman in the United States.

12-year-old Ceilidh Austin interviewed Phyllis Lyon at her home in San Francisco in the spring of 2010. Ceilidh portrayed Phyllis, word for word, in "Prop 8 Love Stories".

On February 12, 2004 Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin became the first same-sex couple to legally marry in the United States in a ceremony in San Francisco. They were married again on June 16, 2008.

Del Martin died on August 27, 2008. Phyllis Lyon issued this statement: "Ever since I met Del 55 years ago, I could never imagine a day would come when she wouldn't be by my side. I am so lucky to have known her, loved her, and been her partner in all things. I also never imagined there would be a day that we would actually be able to get married. I am devastated, but I take some solace in knowing we were able to enjoy the ultimate rite of love and commitment before she passed."

Molly McKay & Davina Kotulski

Molly is an attorney and a civil rights activist. Davina is a clinical psychologist and author of Why You Should give a Damn About Gay Marriage.

Molly McKay (center right) was interviewed and portrayed by 16-year-old Audrey Maye Tatum (far right), and Davina Kotulski (center left) was interviewed and portrayed by 13-year-old Tressa Edwards (far left). The interview took place at Molly & Davina's home in the spring of 2010 in Oakland, CA.

Prop 8 Love Stories features original songs by Audrey Maye Tatum.

Sally Miller Gearhart (born 1931) is the first open lesbian in higher education to be given a tenure track position (1974). In 1978 Gearhart fought alongside Harvey Milk to defeat Proposition 6.

12-year-old Olivia Henry interviewed and portrayed Sally.

Robert & Maben Rainwater are historical building contractors living in Sebastopol.

Thanks to the temporary generosity of the State of California, Maben and Robert are now legally married. They have three adopted kids. Two from Romania: Alexandru & Nicholas; And one from Las Vegas: Kira. Robert & Maben also provide time for their School Board, Parent Council, Soccer and Baseball.

Dominic Williams (center in tie-dye) & Nadia Tomaszewski (left in stripes) interviewed and portrayed Robert & Maben Rainwater. The interview took place in the spring of 2010 in their home is Sebastopol, California.

Melecio Estrella & Andy Jones of Oakland.
Andy is a UC Berkeley Grad student studying alternative energy. Melecio dances on the sides of San Francisco skyscrapers.
Andy & Melecio are getting married this summer.
Neal Falletta-Cowden interviewed and portrayed Andy (far left) and Elizabeth Brown interviewed and portrayed Melecio (red shirt).

Elizabeth is in 6th grade. Neal is a junior at Sonoma Academy HS.

The interview took place at Elizabeth Brown's home in the spring of 2010 in Santa Rosa, California.

Bob & Bernice Thorpe had their first kiss in 1945 and were married 11 days later. They were interviewed in their home in Santa Rosa, California in the spring of 2010 by Amanda Pederson (red shirt) and Madison Saboe (black top).

Rabbi Jerry & Joy Danzig
The Rabbi and his wife struggled when their son "came out".

Kira Findling and Molly Larsen interviewed them in their home in the spring of 2010 in Santa Rosa, California.

Heidi Doughty & Rhonda Findling with their daughters Sonia (9) & Kira (12). Heidi is a grade school teacher & Rhonda is a college counselor. (Kira is also a cast member who interviewed Rabbi Jerry & Joy Danzig. She interviewed and portrayed Joy.)

Dezi, Ecco & Elizabeth interviewed them in their home in the spring of 2010 in Sebastopol, California. Dezi portrayed Heidi; Ecco portrayed Rhonda; Elizabeth portrayed Kira; And Ceilidh Austin portrayed Sonia.

Cinematographers Molly Haas & Randall Brown shot the interview.

Angela Garcia & Nick Egan

Angela is a social worker & Nick is a teacher. Angela & Nick are getting married this summer. Angela struggled when her father came out when she was 14 years old.

Angela was interviewed and portrayed by Jessica Wysocky. Nick was interviewed and portrayed by Ellie Gossage.

The interview took place at Angela & Nick's home in the spring of 2010 in Petaluma, California.

Note

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This play is not an argument. It’s not out to make anyone look stupid or wrong. It was not created with the intention of being cruel to anyone. And it’s not about sex.

This play is about people, relationships, love and life. It’s about what we all have in common. It’s about family and community. This play is an opportunity to gain a better understanding of our fellow human beings. It was made with affection and respect for everyone.

Writer / Directors

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Featuring

original songs
by 16-year-old
Audrey Maye Tatum

CLICK HERE to listen to Audrey's MUSIC

Co-written & assistant-directed
by 14-year-old
Dezi Gallegos

Photography by Rosemarie Lion/ www.LionPhotography.com

The Performances

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PERFORMANCES

Summer 2011
PROP 8 LOVE STORIES
Heads To
NEW YORK

4TH STREET THEATRE
83 East 4th Street
New York, NY 10003

PERFORMANCES - SUMMER 2011

July 29th, 30th, 31st August 4th, 5th, 6th, & 7th

Final West Coast Performance

Person Theatre

Sonoma State University
June 18, 2011

Click for Tickets

*************************

Summer 2010

Cinnabar Theater (Petaluma)
Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm
June 25 - 26
Sunday, 2:00pm
June 27
TICKETS for Cinnabar Performances: CALL 707.763.8920 or online @ www.cinnabartheater.org

Russian River Hall (Monte Rio)

Friday & Saturday, 8:00pm
July 2nd & 3rd
20347 Highway 116,
Monte Rio, CA. 95462
707-849-4873
TICKETS: Sold at the Door

The Glaser Center (Santa Rosa)

Friday, July 9th @ 8:00pm

Saturday, July 10th @ 2:00pm
547 Mendocino Ave,
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 568-5381
TICKETS for The Glaser Center:
Advance tickets available at Copperfields Book Stores, Stanroy Music Center, The Last Record Store (in Santa Rosa),  Back Door Disc (in Cotati), and on line at www.brownpapertickets.com

The Magic Theatre
Fort Mason Center - San Francisco
Sunday, July 11th @ 8:00pm
Bldg D, 3rd Floor

TICKETS:
http://www.fortmason.org/boxoffice
Purchase tickets by phone at (415) 345-7575

Cinnabar Theater (Petaluma)
Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm
July 16 & 17

TICKETS: CALL 707.763.8920
www.cinnabartheater.org

The New Conservatory Theatre (San Francisco)

Wednesday, August 4th
11:45am-12:30pm
http://www.nctcsf.org/directions.htm

CLICK HERE for details about the AATE Conference

Action Theater

Sunday, August 8th, 12:10 to 12:40
CLICK HERE for details... SF Theater Festival

Contact

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Brian Glenn Bryson
Creator/Director
Prop 8 Love Stories
Founder & Artistic Director
Walking ELEPHANT Theatre Company
Brian@WalkingELEPHANT.org
707-795-7675

Mission

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Walking Elephant Theatre Company guides actors 7 to 17 years old out of the classroom and into real-world, project-based education experiences that connect them with their local and global communities to explore important social issues.

Cast members interview relevant community members about "the elephant in the room" - discrimination, bullying, homophobia, habits, corruption, sustainability - to create “word-for-word” documentary theatre and films.

These potent, moving, and hilarious plays and movies, made with integrity and economy, are then presented in theatres, schools, and film festivals around the world.

We do this because it is the most effective approach to education we have ever experienced, and because we believe it fosters a world of empathic human beings at peace with each other and themselves.