The Laramie Project

On November 14, 1998, a month after University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was murdered, award-winning playwright Moises Kaufman and members of his company (Tectonic Theater Project) traveled to Laramie, Wyoming and began a series of face-to-face interviews with the people of the town where the story unfolded. Over the next year, the company traveled six times to Wyoming and conducted the over two hundred intensely personal interviews which make up The Laramie Project, a documentary play that brings this real-life tragedy to the stage.

Events surrounding opening night will feature singer/songwriter Randi Driscoll, whose benefit single “What Matters” was written for Matthew Shepard’s parents in honor of their son.

Schedule of Special Events:

Thursday, January 17 – Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, joins Reverend Mel White and other panelists for a Town Hall Meetng challenging people to address and identify their own personal prejudices and consider how our society performs and confronts hate. HoustonPBS broadcasts the event live.

Saturday, January 19 – Rev. Mel White opens a Panel Discussion at the Stages Repertory Theatre (John & Jean Yeager Theater) from 2:00-4:00pm. White will engage the audience in interactive activities, followed by an exploration of how prejudices and hate exist and can be overcome in the Houston community.

Saturday, January 19 – Religious leaders from many faiths join together for a prayer vigil at Christ Church Cathedral. Driscoll will perform “What Matters,” and White will be the vigil’s keynote speaker.

Saturday, January 19 – Driscoll will perform songs from her latest CD The Play. Teresa Kolo opens from 8:00pm-10:00pm, and Driscoll performs from 10:00pm-midnight at the Vintage Bar (4356 Westheimer). Admission is free, and donations made at the concert will benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Tuesday, January 22 – Stages Repertory Theatre hosts a free teacher workshop from 5:00pm-7:00pm that allows teachers to explore the script and link the themes of the play with issues in Social Studies, History, Speech, and Literature curriculums.

Thursday, January 31 and Thursday, February 7 – Student matinee performances ($7/ticket) take place at 10:30am, followed by a discussion led by Michael DeVoll and trained student discussion leaders.

Sundays January 20 & 27, February 3 & 10 – Facilitated discussions in which the cast is joined by a different guest speaker each week follow Sunday matinee performances.