It has been nearly 36 years since Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten, tortured and left to die near Laramie, Wyoming because he was gay. A watershed moment for the LGBTQ+ community, Shepard’s death became a rallying cry for many, placing a spotlight on the issue of hate crimes in the United States and around the world.
The Laramie Project continues to resonate, even with the progress we’ve made over the years. It is a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go.
– Joshua Law
Two years after his death, Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project visited Laramie, conducting hundreds of interviews with residents. Coupled with the theatre company members’ journal entries and news reports, the result was The Laramie Project, a full-length play told through a series of short scenes recounting the crime and its reactions.
Since its premiere in 2000, The Laramie Project has been produced worldwide. This September, Dartmouth Players revisits the play with a production led by director Hannah Blizzard and featuring a local cast of eight – Joanne Arbuthnott, Sean Baker, Liam Browne, Johanna Gerrits, Ellis Pickersgill, Mehul Vyas, Jacob Wilson, and Zak Zimmer – introducing an essential part of LGBTQ+ history to a new generation.
“The Laramie Project continues to resonate, even with the progress we’ve made over the years,” says producer Joshua Law in a media release. “It is a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go. It’s an honest and reflective theatre piece.”
A powerful narrative exploring themes of tolerance and community, The Laramie Project is also a perfect fit for the local community theatre group. “Showcasing diverse stories like this is crucial for fostering understanding and empathy within our community,” says Zak Zimmer, president of the Dartmouth Players board of directors.
The Laramie Project plays at the Sanctuary of St. James United Church (181 Portland St, Dartmouth) from September 19 through October 5. For tickets and information, visit dartmouthplayers.ns.ca.