Aug 21, 2015
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Aug 23, 2015

The Laramie Project

Directed by: George Papamichael

a black arrow pointing downward

The Laramie Project is a play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project (specifically, Leigh Fondakowski, Stephen Belber, Greg Pierotti, Barbara Pitts, Stephen Wangh, Amanda Gronich, Sara Lambert, John McAdams, Maude Mitchell, Andy Paris, and Kelli Simpkins) about the reaction to the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming gay student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. The murder was denounced as a hate crime and brought attention to the lack of hate crime laws in various states, including Wyoming. The play draws on hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company with inhabitants of the town, company members’ own journal entries, and published news reports. It is divided into three acts, and eight actors portray more than sixty characters in a series of short scenes.

Director’s Note

George Papamichael

The events of this play took place almost two decades ago. In fact, a sequel to The Laramie Project is already being performed: The Laramie Project 10 Years Later. Matthew’s death and the events surrounding it brought to light how the we think and feel about homosexuality, sexual politics, education, class, violence, privileges and rights, and the difference between tolerance and acceptance. While people may feel as though we have come to a time and a place where the kind of hate seen in this production does not exist, people in our community can tell you otherwise. New York City is 1,783 miles away from Laramie, Wyoming, but this city is not far removed from hate and violence.The Laramie Project offers everybody a chance to discuss the issues surrounding the murder of Matthew Shepard. I have been honored to take part in rich conversations with my cast and crew and have witnessed these young men and women question, contemplate, and analyze complex ideas and values. I am grateful to them and to this show for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to express my gratitude for The Matthew Shepard Foundation for their support with this show.

The actors that you are about to see on stage have worked tremendously hard over the past month to create a documentary drama. Not only have they worked on acting skills that can extend to any play, but they have also researched the many characters that they will portray. For these characters are actually not that – they are real people and these are the actual words that they spoke. The script offers raw material from those who experienced the aftermath of Matthew’s murder, and the actors will give you a raw performance without any curtains to hide behind.  This is a courageous group of young men and women who are about to take the stage, and I’m proud of them for doing so.

There is hate and bigotry in this play, but there is also hope, acceptance, and love. I hope this performance encourages contemplation and conversation. Please enjoy the show. Please be advised that there is explicit content and strobe lights will be used in the show.


Playbill for the show

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