In October 1998 in the middle of the prairie outsideLaramie, Wyoming, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University ofWyoming, was tied to a fence post, severely beaten, robbed, , tortured andleft, alone, to die. His body -- battered, bloody, barely clinging to life --was discovered eighteen hours later. He was rushed to the hospital and put onlife support. He died five days later. The reason for this brutal crime?Matthew Shepard was gay.
The hate crime attracted vast attention worldwide, bringing sexual discrimination and violence to the forefront of public discourse. The Tectonic Theater Project, led by theirfounder Moisés Kaufman, traveled to Laramie in the aftermath of the murder withthe intent of creating a theatrical portrait of a town coming to grips with horrible, hate-fueled violence. Over the course of a year and a half, the group interviewed over 200 subjects, some directly related to the case and someregular citizens of Laramie. Out of these interviews, journal entries, andfound texts, The Laramie Project was born. Hailed as one of the most captivating and encompassing pieces of contemporary theatre, the play shocks, challenges, and moves all who watch it as it reveals the lowest depths ofhatred and greatest heights of compassion that lies within all human beings inany seemingly average community. (The Laramie Project by Moise Kaufman)
“The Laramie Project is a reminder of what can happen without empathy or respect for other’s lives,” said Ms.Mills.
For more information, contact Mara Mills, mara.mills@studiotheaterinexile.com.
Directed by: Thomas Kramer | Mara Mills: STIE Artistic Directory | Jeremy Gratt: STIE Producer | Produced in partnership with Peekskill Pride
CAST: Nic Anthony Calabro | Joan Cavallo | Steve Cruz | Charlie DiGruccio | Lizz Gaines | Lauren Hare | Gerry Micera | Quint Spitzer | Amie Noble | Irene Howard
