by Moisés Kaufman and the Members of Tectonic Theater Project
THE STORY: In October 1998, a twenty-one-year-old student at the University of Wyoming was kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. His bloody, bruised, and battered body was not discovered until the next day, and he died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay. Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and a half, in the aftermath of the beating and during the trial of the two young men accused of killing Shepard. They conducted more than 200 interviews with the people of the town. Some people interviewed were directly connected to the case, while others were citizens of Laramie, and the breadth of the reactions to the crime is fascinating. Kaufman and Tectonic Theater members have constructed a deeply moving theatrical experience from these interviews and their own experiences in Laramie. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Thursday, Nov. 16
Opening Night Reception
Congratulate the cast and crew after the opening night performance over refreshments.
Friday, Nov. 17
“Night of Pride” Pre-show Celebration
Join us for a pre-show party to celebrate our community of LGBTQIA+ folks! Enjoy refreshments, music and a selfie-station, free and open to all.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Post-show Panel Discussion
Following the 2pm matinee performance, Arcadia University faculty will speak on the impact of The Laramie Project in an open invite panel discussion. Panel speakers are:
- Ana Maria Garcia, Professor of Sociology
- Kevin Glaccum, Production Director and Interim Artistic Director for Arcadia Theater
- Jonathan Shandell, Associate Professor of Theater Arts and the production’s dramaturg
