Death of homosexual student depicted in new production
‘The Laramie Project’ addresses a single Wyoming homicide that sent shockwaves throughout the nation
By Adam Lowe, contributing writer
Posted on November 6, 2006

Matthew Shepard is found dead in his hometown of Laramie, Wyo. And there are six different sides of the story. This ill-fated tale of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard’s life will be retold by JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance in Moisés Kaufman’s “The Laramie Project” this week.

The show’s script is the retelling of the interviews conducted by the Tectonic Theatre Company with the residents of the town of Laramie, Wyo., conveying the accounts of people whose lives Shepard touched, including those of his two killers. 

Stage manager Tarin Hurstell said the show focuses on seeing these Tectonic Theatre members and how they transform into the different characters of Laramie whose stories are the center of the show, bringing insight to the events surrounding Shepard’s death.

Cast members include freshman R.J. Haynes as Greg Pierotti, senior Karl Holmstrom as Moisés Kaufman, sophomore Shelly Newhouse as Barbara Pitts, junior Asher Nicholson as Stephen Belber, sophomore Lauren Ramsey as Amanda Gronich, sophomore Karla Sakas as Mercedes Herrero, senior Jackson Thompson as Andy Paris and freshman Bekah Wachenfeld as Leigh Fondakowski. These eight JMU students will play the parts of more than 60 people closely affected by the incident.

“It’s exciting when you get to play this many characters,” Thompson said. “It’s a test of your acting skills, making each character different.”

Wachenfeld found that she really connected on many levels with one of her roles, Shepard’s best friend.

But while some actors easily connect with their characters, others had a harder time empathizing with theirs. Nicholson, who among his other parts will be playing the Rev. Fred Phelps and Aaron McKinney.

“It’s interesting playing those two, because they’re really the bad guys, and interesting playing someone you disagree with so strongly,” Nicholson said.

The show is in the style of “moment work,” in which seemingly separate scenes are linked through thematically interrelated moments. “The Laramie Project’s” script is separated into such moments, with often six different people talking about six different things, their six different sides of the same story.

“People might try to say there are some anti-religious, but really the whole point is anti-hate,” Thompson said. “There’s no excuse to do that to somebody. If it can happen to a town like Laramie, it can happen here.”

“’Laramie Project’ can open eyes and get people aware of what’s going on,” Nicholson said. The script tries to demonstrate that violence isn’t always the answer.

“[Director] Roger Hall really does a great job directing. He deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done with this,” Thompson said.

“The Laramie Project” will be performed at Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre, Duke Hall, from Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 7 to 11, at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $8 for general admission and $6 for JAC Card holders, senior citizens and children under 12 (though the show is recommended for mature audiences.)