2008 Woodie Awards
"Revelations" attempts to bring acceptance to SRU
By Rachel Seeman
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 10/21/05 Section: News
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"Revelations: Appalachian Resiliency in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender People" is developed from the testimonials of 13 men and women.
The show was developed from Carrie Nobel Kline's study of how people of different sexual preferences live their lives
"It interested me to give (a) voice to people whose voices are not generally heard, to help people understand the humanity of gay, lesbian and bisexual and transgender people and understand what they're going through.," Kline said.
"I saw 'Revelations' at WVU in 2001. I loved it and thought it was a great show and tried to bring it to Slippery Rock," Catherine Massey, assistant psychology professor said.
A social equity grant through the state system paid the actors a small compensation, travel and lodging fee.
Massey said the purpose of "Revelations" is successful in bringing understanding to everyone.
"We're all the same and in some respects, but in others we're not," Massey said. "It's important that people look beyond themselves."
Each actor, ranging from 16 to 70 years old, portrayed a particular person by quoting their stories through their own as taken from interviews.
They have been traveling for about four years performing "Revelations".
"I was interested in whether people are made stronger by the things they confront,and in this case, whether people are made stronger by the oppressions they already conquered and are taught to conquer as mountain people, as rural people," Kline said.
"And when they turn out to be other than straight, are they able to use this social capital to their advantage."
Heterosexuals, gay and lesbian couples and parents of gays and lesbians were among the many in the audience to speak, Massey said.
Among the actors were two students from the SRU, Travis Bell and Alex McKenzie.
McKenzie said she saw flyers on campus announcing auditions for "Revelations".
After auditioning for Kline and one of the actors, Michael Kline, in Vincent Science Hall, McKenzie was selected to be a part of the performance.
"It was really fun, especially when the other actors came up from West Virginia," McKenzie said.
Coordinator of Health Promotions and Services, Jodi Solito, was the only SRU staff member to participate in the play. She read for two characters at once.
"I'm interested in all of us finding ways to get past our biases so that we can truly operate as a democracy, one in which we are benefiting form the contributions of everybody," Kline said, " and we can do this when people don't have to spend time hiding from oppression or fighting oppression."
