UVa-Wise Division of Theater to present ‘The Laramie Project’

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Division of Theater will present “The Laramie Project” on Nov. 10 and 16 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.

“The Laramie Project” is an examination of the crisis that befell the small town of Laramie, Wyo., on the night of Oct. 6, 1998, when Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old homosexual man, was beaten, tied to a fence and left to die.

The next morning, a mountain biker found Shepard’s near-lifeless body and thought he was a scarecrow. For six days, Laramie and the world waited as Shepard struggled to survive.

The small town was left reeling from the reality that young men born and raised in Laramie could commit such a heinous crime. “The Laramie Project” focuses on how such violence is instilled in children and what can be learned from the incident.

“The Laramie Project” was created by Moises Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project in New York.

The UVa-Wise production is directed by Jonathon Taylor. The ensemble cast includes Heather Morgon, Jesse Lambert, Craig Rice, Casey Chinault, Matt Carter, Joel Ernst, Jaime Herman, Sarah Jones and Matt Trgovac.

This production is recommended for mature audiences.

Due to campus construction, the UVa-Wise Division of Theater and its productions will be located temporarily in the Theater Center across from the Baptist Student Union on Darden Drive.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted November 5, 2007