Listen to this articleThe University of Iowa has just announced the production of 14, a new play about the so-called “ reparative therapy” experiments Brigham Young University officials allegedly performed on gay students in the mid-1970s. The play was written by John Cameron, who as a BYU student was once subjected to these experiments. Cameron is now head of acting at the University of Iowa.
The University of Iowa has just announced the production of 14, a new play about the so-called “ reparative therapy” experiments Brigham Young University officials allegedly performed on gay students in the mid-1970s. The play was written by John Cameron, who as a BYU student was once subjected to these experiments. Cameron is now head of acting at the University of Iowa.
“I had spent much of my life trying to forget and minimize [my experience with reparative therapy],” says Cameron. “I had somehow convinced myself that most people would find it more disgusting than interesting… [But] thanks to the cast and my colleagues, I have been able to develop a healthier distance from the subject matter and really focus on the structure of the work. It is emotionally challenging, but exciting and invigorating. We have a great cast and wonderful support.”
As part of these well-documented experiments, gay male students were exposed to male pornography and delivered shocks of up to 4.5 miliamperes of electricity in hope of “curing” them of their “condition.”
The play will be staged at the David Thayer Theatre on January 31 and February 1-3, 6-10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.uiowa.edu/~theatre/season/index.html.
