Post-performance Q&A

DID WE GET LEGALLY MARRIED AT THE END OF THE SHOW?

Yes, we did! Self-uniting marriage licenses are a way to legally marry without a 3rd party officiant. However, not all states offer this kind of marriage, which is one of the reasons we traveled from New York to Pennsylvania. The document on the clipboard that we and our two witnesses were signing was a self-uniting marriage license that we applied for in-person at the Philadelphia City Hall back in July. Today, we returned a duplicate of the license to city hall, but the marriage was legally binding effective the moment we signed the license on stage. 

*dramaturg hat on* Self-uniting marriages are also known as Quaker marriages. Because marriage was, until quite recently in the grand scheme, largely officiated and recorded by religious organizations, the laws around the requirements for a legal marriage still follow what was religious practice. By the 18th century, it was common practice that almost all marriages in the US were performed by a minister. This is why most states still require an "officiant" - though this no longer needs to be an expressly religious figure.

EXCEPT the non-hierarchical structure of Quaker communities (of which PA has the highest % per capita) meant that their marriages have been legally self-officiated in PA since 1681! In 2007, the ACLU of PA brought a case that all people, not only Quakers, should be allowed to perform this type of marriage. *removes hat*

WHY CANNONBALL FESTIVAL?

We love Cannonball’s commitment to platforming and incubating daring and original performances. If you liked our show, please go to the events calendar on Cannonball Festival’s website and check out some of the other incredible work by amazing artists including ON BURIED GROUND, DEAD MUSE, SPEAK ENGLISH, WATER FOLLOWS SALT, INVITED DRESS THE “CABARET” and BLUE SILK.

WOW THESE PRODUCTION PHOTOS ARE GREAT!

They sure are! Ashley (@wideeyedstudios) at Wide Eyed Studios took them.

SO YOU’RE MARRIED, NOW WHAT?

We don’t have the answer for that yet, but keep an eye on this IG account for the next raunchy, queer, and blasphemous production your favorite @real_life_brothers might have in store.