BY DANIEL WOOD
Staff Reporter
On Sept. 26, The Theatre Arts Program will present “The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later” in the Little Theatre. It will be the first out of their six plays showcased throughout the year.
According to Gerry Goehring, the Executive Director of Performing Arts, it should spark a discussion at Sacred Heart University.
The play is set 10 years after “The Laramie Project,” The Tectonic Theater production which told the true story of the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo. In 1998, the gay 21-year-old was brutally beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die because of his sexual orientation.
The play is set up in an interview style, which is different from the other performances that have been put on at Sacred Heart, according to Goehring.
The Theater Arts Program decided to produce the show in hopes of addressing the issue of how matters have changed in regard to violence against the LGBTQ community.
“It still happens today. What’s important is if we can connect people and inspire discussion,” said Goehring.
Junior Rebecca Radisic, who has 11 roles in the play, anticipates that the play will educate the audience. “It will allow them to see how the town of Laramie has changed because of it but also how it hasn’t,” said Radisic.
“We hope that it will have a lasting impact on the audience, allowing them to leave the show wanting to share this story, and continue the conversation of Matthew’s legacy,” said Radisic.
For producer Andrew Patino, it is important that this show has an effect at Sacred Heart. “In a weird way, it’s kind of reflecting us 10 years after the show came out. We live in this bubble at Sacred Heart or even the Northeast where acceptance is more pushed,” said Patino.
As a producer, Patino has several jobs behind the scenes from social media and marketing, as well as figuring out make up and lighting. He also has been reaching out to help spark conversation among students about the message that this play seeks to establish.
“On the Sunday performances, we are going to have a talk-back. So, we are going to talk about issues in the show and issues surrounding hate crimes against minority groups in general to just get it out there and make this campus a better place,” said Patino.
There will be a colloquium hosted at Sacred Heart that is focused on Laramie and discusses the reason people hate and how the community can be improved. This event will be held on Oct. 2 at 3:30 in the University Commons.
The show features an eight person cast with every cast member playing multiple roles. Rehearsals have been held seven days a week as the show has about four weeks to be put together before its opening.
“Working with eight people is great because it’s not too big and the level of skill of the eight people is stellar because when they come to rehearse they are there to work and to bring the story to life,” said senior Justin Weigel, the assistant director.
The cast continues to rehearse many hours to make sure the story is told properly.
“Rehearsals have definitely been intense, but also very enlightening. As a cast, we have been learning lines, blocking, and most importantly, we have learned how important it is to be educated about hate crimes, homophobia and social injustice,” said Radisic.
“The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later” will have performances in the Little Theatre on Sept. 26 – 28 and Oct. 3 – 5 at 8:00 p.m. and as well at 3:00 p.m. on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office in the Edgerton Center or by visiting www.edgertoncenter.org.
