James Hitchcock as plaintiff's attorney David Boies, James Floss as attorney Charles Cooper

California Proposition 8, which added language to the state constitution to end the rights of same sex couples to valid marriage, narrowly passed in 2008. In 2010, the U.S. District Court of Northern California heard arguments and took testimony on marriage equality—the first time a federal court considered the issue.

  As a result of that trial, the judge declared that Proposition 8 violated rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. But that decision has been appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. “The American Federation for Equal Rights wants to raise awareness of marriage equality issues,” Kelso said. “In addition to the courts, there are similar ballot initiatives in several states this year. So they want these readings to be community-wide events.”

This is reflected in the casting at HSU. “About half our cast members are actors well known in the local community,” said Rebik, “and half are HSU faculty and students.”

  “Many more people wanted to participate than could,” Rebik said, adding that scheduling was the biggest problem.