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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2005)
kUU¡H;iw=Mínews cene 1: Marie is unconscious in a hos pital room, and her partner, Cassie, is not allowed in to see her. Betsy, a friend from church, has come to lend support and witnesses the distress this causes Cassie. Fortunately, Marie wakes up and is able to request Cassie’s presence. Scene 2: Marie and Cassie decide to get mar ried so they can have the legal rights and responsibilities—like hospital visitation—asso ciated with marriage. It is March 2004, and Multnomah County is issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. When Cassie invites Betsy to attend the wedding, Betsy declines, say ing she does not believe in gay marriage. S L eap of F aith — and U nderstanding A Act for Action promotes social justice through the use of theater by Meg Daly Christian congregation, Marie and Cassie, want to get married. But not everyone in their church is supportive of them. hese are just a few of the complex situa The 11-minute play is per tions explored in a new play developed by formed one time with a sad and Jeannie LaFrance to encourage dialogue within unfortunate ending. (Cassie and Christian churches on the issue of same-sex Marie don’t make it to the licensing marriage. The play invites audience members to office in time and then find out that “intervene” in the action and try to come up Marie is very ill and not accepted with different outcomes. under Cassie’s insurance plan.) Five years ago LaFrance founded Act for Then it is performed again. This Action, a nonprofit organization that helps time, audience members can stop community groups resolve issues around social the action when they see a prob Actors Terrie justice through the use of theater. Her social lem. An audience member can change theater is based on a model first devised come on stage to stand in for a character he or by Brazilian director and activist Augusto Boat she believes could create a positive solution. Boat established the Theater of the Oppressed LaFrance serves as a facilitator for this process. in the early 1970s as a way of helping people Whether or not the audience intervention suc learn how to fight back against oppression and ceeds, the drama allows participants to see mul problem-solve as a group. tiple ways of addressing an issue. LaFrance works with organizations to create “It creates community dialogue through the plays that “pose a problem” and allow the ater,” says LaFrance, who has been doing social groups to develop solutions. In the case of her change theater for more than 15 years. She was new play, A Leap of Faith, that problem is the a finalist for the Ford Foundation’s Leadership fictional situation in which two members of a for a Changing World award in 2002 and was T Quinteros (left) and Joy Misra in A Leap of Faith named by The Portland Observer as a “Woman of Courage and Vision.” “Theater can get to people on an emotional level.... [It| helps people connect to each other in a different way,” she says. LaFrance developed the play last year during the emotional aftermath of same-sex marriages in Multnomah County. She knew firsthand the ten sions that Christian churches face. Even though her church, Ainsworth United Church of Christ, is an open and affirming congregation, not all members were entirely comfortable with the fact that she and her female partner got married. Working in collaboration with Love Makes a Family and the Community of Welcoming Congregations, she set about creating a play in which no one was the oppressor, per se. Instead, many different viewpoints are expressed and given credence. Act for Action recently received grants from McKenzie River Gathering Foundation and the Regional Arts and Culture Council to perform the play 20 times in Portland-area churches. The first performance was at LaFrance’s own church in October. The Rev. Lynne Smouse López says the play was received “with great applause and appreciation.” She praises Act for Action for not imposing an opinion but rather encouraging congregants “to express their thoughts, opinions and convictions.” In a letter to other ministers who may be considering having the play performed in their churches, López notes: “We will be challenged in the months and years ahead to honestly dis cuss our differing opinions and to listen, read and reflect upon our Christian faith and what our faith impels us to do.” This is exactly the kind of dialogue LaFrance wants to promote. “The play gets people to ask: ‘What are my values? What do I really believe about how all people should be treated?’” jM If you think your church or organization might be interested in booking an A ct FOR ACTION performance, contact Jeannie LaFrance at 503-287'9628, ext. 2, info@actforaction.org or www.actforaction.org. The play can be modified for more secular venues and organizations. Celebrate your independence at Kuni Saab 2004 9-5 Sedan Visit kunisaab.com for current lease and model year closeout specials. All-Wheel Drive 2005 9-2X The Best of Sweden, Right Here in Beaverton. 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