Category | Arts & Living

‘The Laramie Project’ encourages audience to decide for itself

Published on April 17, 2007 by The Sentinel

    KSU’s production of “The Laramie Project” is more than a true story; it is a thought-provoking performance that encourages audiences to view it through the eyes of many, instead of only their own vantage point.

“The Laramie Project” is a theatrical production about the killing of Matthew Shepard.

    On Oct. 7, 1998 in Laramie, Wyoming, 21-year-old Shepard was fatally attacked – allegedly due to his homosexuality – by Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney.

    The two assailants beat and robbed Shepard, tied him to a fence in a remote area and left him to die. Shepard was discovered 18 hours later, alive but unconscious. He died five days later on Oct. 12, 1998. Shepard’s murder resulted in national attention toward hate crime legislation [or the lack thereof] on state and federal levels.

    The Tectonic Theater Project [based in New York City] conducted over 200 interviews with the people of Laramie regarding the aftermath of Shepard’s murder. “The Laramie Project” comprises 64 of these interviews and also draws on some of the journal entries the members of the Tectonic Theater Project kept during their research.

    Although 64 people are represented in “The Laramie Project,” the number of cast members varies from company to company when performed. Some companies use a cast of ten, while others have used a cast of up to 25. KSU’s cast, directed by Professor Harrison Long, consists of eight people who portray up to nine characters each.

    “It’s been interesting to explore different roles through an accent or gesture, and explore all different avenues to playing each character,” Actor Michael Williams said. Williams’ roles include Fred Phelps, controversial anti-homosexual activist, and Matt Galloway [bartender at the Fireside Bar, where Shepard was last seen].

    He added that although researching each character is important as they are based on real people and are complex.

    “We have to remember that we are doing this play,” Williams said. “Maybe the Tectonic Theater Project didn’t include a [certain character trait] of a person for a reason. It’s like walking a tightrope.”

    Because of the controversial subject matter represented in “The Laramie Project,” the show is often assumed to be a production with an angle. Melissa Oulton, assistant stage manager, said that the show is “not like a ‘typical’ documentary with a one-sided agenda.”

    “[‘The Laramie Project’] is presenting the information factually,” said actor Andrew Puckett. “Tectonic Theater artists went into Laramie with a particular vantage point, but…over the course of interviewing, I think they came to the understanding that it was their responsibility to ‘say it correct,’ in the words of Father Roger Schmit.”

    Two of Puckett’s roles include those of Schmit and Rulon Stacey, CEO of the Poudre Valley Hospital, where Shepard was pronounced dead.

    Cast member Gregory Garrison agreed. “Everyone is humanized and everyone is human,” Garrison said. “[‘The Laramie Project’] shows the human side of everyone rather than good and evil.”

    The set, designed by Kraig Seichrist, extends beyond the edges of the Stillwell Theatre’s stage, connecting the production with its audience. This connection, combined with the neutrality of the script, lets the audience decide for themselves what their opinions are, as if the audience is the jury.  

    Dr. Jane Barnette is the dramaturg [dramatic historian] for the production. As the dramaturg, Barnette researched the demographics of Laramie, WY and how they compare to Kennesaw, GA. She also investigated the economic climate of the city and the societal nuances.

    “What is unique about this production as opposed to any other production?” asked Barnette. “I think there are several things. For one thing, it’s based on real people who are still alive. The idea of nine actors portraying all of these different roles and transforming from one character to another is very challenging, and unusual to see on a college level. It’s about trying to create peaceful discussion. Harrison and his cast are very careful to [remain objective], which is a different approach than some other people may take to [‘The Laramie Project’].”

    “I really ended up with an extraordinary group of people,” Long said. “I hit the jackpot. We have an incredibly diverse group of actors with an incredibly wide range of opinions on the topics the play explores. That element has been incredibly important to the rehearsal process.”

    “[The cast] has been quite courageous and generous about sharing their views.” Long said. “Because of that, the work is developing in an exciting and dynamic way.  More importantly, I think this production is going to mean something because these actors have invested so much of themselves.”

    The cast and crew of “The Laramie Project” agreed that the process of bringing the production to life has been an immense challenge.

    “It’s not just about homosexuality and whether it’s right or wrong,” Oulton said. “It’s about religion, politics, class, social norms, education… it didn’t only affect Laramie, it affected the world.”