How much has this state changed since 1996? Not much, if you’re looking at the fight over gay high school students and their right to have a club in their schools.
Senator Chris Buttars, R-Salt Lake, has revived a bill that originated in 1996 and is pushing again to further ostracize outcast teenagers.
Ten years ago, Tobin Atkinson had just finished his MFA in directing from the U and was busy running a five-show season at Plan-B Theatre Company. When a Salt Lake City school district banned all extracurricular clubs to suppress the founding of a Gay-Straight Alliance club, Atkinson began researching the subject and putting together this play, “Alienation Effekt.” He was still new to writing and was experimenting with his style, which is heavily influenced by Bertolt Brecht, the German poet and playwright who coined the term “alienation effect.” This is a technique implemented to create an emotional distance between the audience and the actors by offering glaring reminders that they are, in fact, watching a play.
The play opened quietly at a theater deliberately kept under the radar and enjoyed the freedom of being an underground production company and a part of the “indie” scene. It began to receive publicity and was soon playing to sold-out audiences; the gay community had caught wind of the show and connected with his words. There are white-painted faces and minimal sets, complemented by Atkinson’s powerful words and Steven Foster music — “with a few lyric changes that are interesting and ironic,” said Teresa Sanderson, who plays several roles in the play.
Sanderson is “Jason,” a kid from Tremonton who wants to start a Bible Club in his school, as well as “Reject,” the kid who wants to start a Gay Club in his school. She also plays the part of a senator on each side of the debate, and she said the play is written so well, she can see all sides of the issue and relate to each of the characters. She has been acting, producing and directing for more than 20 years — ever since her days as an eighth-grade misfit.
Atkinson co-founded Plan-B Theatre Company in 1991 with Cheryl Ann Cluff. Plan-B always focused on being under the radar so playwrights could tackle important, often difficult issues. Under the artistic direction of Jerry Rapier, it has continued to pursue this direction while still enjoying a place closer to the forefront of the theater scene in Salt Lake City.
After six years with Plan-B, Atkinson joined the Army and has since settled in Washington, D.C., where he started a new theater company two years ago called Meat and Potatoes. He considers this Plan-B Jr. — a new version of his first theater company. They stage many different styles of theater and seek to expose audiences to lost theatrical gestures, such as masks, one-man plays, Japanese “kabuki” theater and more.
“Alienation Effekt” is the story of the struggle in this state — in our city — for equal rights for all our citizens. The play shows both sides with sympathy, with actors playing characters from each viewpoint and reminding audiences that everyone deserves to have his or her rights protected — not only the people whose beliefs you share.