![the laramie project play script the laramie project play script](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514RMUKs29L._SX332_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
So that physically brings it home,” he explained. “Matthew Shepard actually died in Poudre Valley Hospital, which is right here … I know exactly where that is, and I can picture the hospital, and where Rulon Stacey, who was CEO of the hospital at the time, would be giving press conferences. The physical connection to the story is real for Volkert, and the story’s relationship to Fort Collins hits close to home for many, even 20 years later. It’s not heavy all the time, which has been helpful,” Volkert said. “The subject matter is serious, but the content of the play goes back and forth between serious, or just straight facts, and some of the characters are actually kind of funny. Overall, Volkert has enjoyed working on The Laramie Project because it has been a great challenge as an actor to portray real people. His variety of character types allows him to express different emotions and energy throughout the play. Volkert explains that not all aspects of this play, however, are sad or solemn. Volkert said his role as Dennis Shepard, Matthew’s father, is the most impactful role he plays because although Shepard only has one monologue in the show, his message in that moment is extremely powerful. Senior theatre major Ryan Volkert plays a number of characters, including Sargent Hing, Matt Galloway, the Baptist minister, Murdock Cooper, Aaron McKinney, and Dennis Shepard.
![the laramie project play script the laramie project play script](https://libarts.source.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/09/the-laramie-project-10-300x200.jpg)
The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance presents “The Laramie Project,” written by Moisés Kaufman and guest directed by Charlie Oates. The first time was spring 2006, during the opening year of the Bohemian Complex, the area of the University Center for the Arts (UCA) that contains the University Theatre. There are 10 total cast members for CSU’s current version of the production, and each member takes on multiple roles. Guest directed by freelance director and former theatre professor at the University of California at San Diego Charlie Oates, it’s the second time CSU Theatre has taken on the complex script. To this day, The Laramie Project is one of the most performed plays in the nation.
![the laramie project play script the laramie project play script](https://owtnepal.org/media/images/1705_The_Laramie_Project_2.jpg)
That same year, the play was also performed in New York City, and two years later was performed in Laramie, Wyoming. In February 2000, The Laramie Project’s premiere performance took place at the Denver Center for the Preforming Arts. These interviews were used to write the script for The Laramie Project, depicting how the residents of Laramie reacted to Matthew Shepard’s murder, and how his death impacted the town. This tragedy was deemed a hate crime due to the fact that McKinney and Henderson admitted murdering Shepard because he was openly gay and an advocate for the LGBT community.Ī month after Shepard’s death, Tectonic Theatre Project founder Moisés Kaufman and various members of the group started interviewing people in Laramie, and completed more than 200 conversations over the course of the following year. 6, 1998, he was kidnapped, brutally beaten, tied to a fence in Laramie, Wyoming, and passed away six days later in Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. He was just 21 years old when his life ended due to the senseless actions of Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Matthew Shepard was a son, brother and student at the University of Wyoming, and a vibrant spirit who was taken from the world too soon. 7, at the University Center for the Arts. May you have a long life, and may you thank Matthew every day for it.” -Dennis ShepardĢ018 marks 20 years since Matthew Shepard’s death.ĬSU Theatre is presenting The Laramie Project, the seminal production about the Wyoming student’s murder, from Sept. “I give you life in the memory of one who no longer lives.