A glorious night

Internationally acclaimed performance artist Tim Miller will present his solo stage production Glory Box at Monash University this week.

Presented by the Monash University Academy of Performing Arts (MAPA), Glory Box is described a sexy, funny and politically charged exploration of same-sex marriage and the struggle for immigration rights for gay bi-national couples. It looks at how society proposes one limited definition – that of heterosexual marriage – as the only worthy model. Glory Box provides an alternative.

The New York Times has described Miller as “a charming and wildly energetic storyteller – funny, forceful and full of vigorous gay pride”.

In Glory Box, Miller demonstrates the obstacles and trials faced by same-sex partnerships through looking into the legal challenges he and his Australian-born husband Alistair have faced. As a bi-national gay union, they have sought to build a life in the US, a country that does not recognise same-sex partnerships for immigration purposes.

“I wanted the piece to conjure for the audience a site for the placing of memories, hopes and dreams of gay people’s extraordinary potential for love,” Miller said.

Miller is a major political figure in the movement to legalise bi-national same-sex partnerships in the US and since 1999 has focused his creative and political work on marriage equality and addressing the injustices facing lesbian and gay couples in America.

Screenwriter for Spielberg’s film Lincoln, playwright of Angels in America, and Pulitzer Price Winner Tony Kushner, said Miller has been at the heart of things, giving voice to what matters most for the entirety of his career.

“His work is an extraordinary fusion of history, observation, politics and a kind of shamanism,” Mr Kushner said.

In March 2013, while Miller is in Melbourne, the US Supreme Court will take up the issue of gay marriage, hearing challenges to a federal law denying benefits to same-sex couples and California’s ban on such unions.

Miller will also conduct two weeks of workshops on performance making from 18-29 March in the Centre for Theatre and Performance at Monash University, culminating in a show of selected work by Monash Bachelor of Performing Arts students.

Glory Box will be held from 7.30pm on Friday, 22 March 2013 in the Alexander Theatre at Monash University’s Clayton campus. Ticket prices range from $10-15 and are on sale now. For bookings and enquiries contact +61 3 9905 1111 or visit the MAPA website.

For more information or to request interviews please contact Shana Stewart, Monash Media & Communications on +61 3 9903 4840 or shana.stewart@monash.edu.