Faculty and Students Participate in "The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later"

The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later

by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Steven Belber
Commissioned by Tectonic Theater Project

One month after the brutal murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in 1998, members of Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming, to interview residents about the killing. Those interviews served as the basis for The Laramie Project, a play that chronicles how the community grappled with the slaying. Ten years after Shepard's death, which had become a rallying cry for gay rights and hate-crime laws, the company returned to Laramie to investigate the long-term cultural impact of the Shepard murder and the collective memory of the community. Their epilogue was shared in communities across the country through public readings this night, the 11th anniversary of Matthew's death.

The evening started with a pre-show event broadcast live from Alice Tully Hall in NYC. Featured the Tectonic Theatre Company and special guests, included actress Glenn Close and Matthew Shepard's mother, Judy, the pre-performance event united audiences in theatres across the nation who are about to experience the epilogue. Following the reading, the audience rejoined the proceedings at Alice Tully Hall for a lively discussion with an expert panel to explore the continuing impact of The Laramie Project.

Faculty, students, and alumni from the Department of Theatre, as well as professional actors, participated in this piece. Tectonic Theater Project member and writer, Greg Pierotti, worked with the cast on multiple occasions as groups from around the country prepared the reading. US Secretary of Health and Human Services visited the cast after attending the event to congratulate them on a mesmerizing performance. Assistant Professor Leigh Smiley directed the ensemble, creating a memorable and moving event.