Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: News

The stage was set Monday night in Thompson Recital Hall for a wedding, but this was no ordinary wedding. The wedding was a performance piece called "Let Them Eat Cake" by Holly Hughes, a lesbian performance artist and playwright, that looked at and challenged traditional ideals of marriage.

During the performance, the characters of "Juan" and "Steve" are to be married, but the wedding turns into a ceremony for two lesbians, "Sandy" and "Dandy," soon after they meet. The piece is both an interactive performance and forum, and uses audience members to either be a part of the wedding or to comment on what they think about the institution of marriage in modern American society.

At the end of the performance, the actors, including freshman Taylor Alles, who volunteered during the performance, told their stories about what love meant to them.

"Everyone deserves love," Alles said during the performance.

The cast then asked the audience to share their opinions about the institution of marriage. Many professors and even a few students voiced their opinions.

Hughes explained that in creating the project, she wanted to show people that marriage isn't just one definition.

"We wanted to create a project where all voices would be heard, but we knew a lot of people had criticisms of marriage," she said. "We also wanted cake and music."

Last night's performance was part of "ArtsFest 2009: Art and Power," which continues until Sunday. There will be a discussion with Hughes today at 11:40 a.m. in the Peeler Art Center Lobby.

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