THE LARAMIE PROJECT - 10 YEARS LATER
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
On October 6th of 1998 Matthew Shepard was beaten and left to die tie to a fence in the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. He died 6 days later. His torture and murder became a watershed historical moment in America that highlighted many of the fault lines in our culture..
A month after the murder the members of Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie and conducted interviews with the people of the town. From these interviews they wrote the play The Laramie Project, which they later made into a movie for HBO. The piece has been seen by more than 30 million people around the country.
Now, 10 years later, the members of Tectonic Theater Project will return to Laramie to find out what has happened over the last 10 years. Has Matthew's murder had a lasting impact on that community? How has the town changed as a result of this event? What does life in Laramie tell us about life in America 10 years later?
These are a few of the questions that the members of Tectonic Theater Project will ask as they return to Laramie.
From the interviews conducted, they will write an article with their findings that they hope to publish in the New York Times as well as other major national papers. They will also write an Epilogue for the play to be added to the published version of the script.
SPECIFICS
Five members of Tectonic Theater Project will return to Laramie for 4 days this fall. They will locate the same people they interviewed 10 years ago and interview them again.
The core of the interviews will be about how Laramie has changed: politically, socially, religiously, educationally. One of the main differences between this trip and the original one, is that this time we expect to be videotaping our interviews. Part of these we'll then put on our web site and create a small video presentation "THE LARAMIE PROJECT - 10 years later."
From the material gathered we will write an article to be sent to the main newspapers around the country. For this purpose we've hired a publicist with extensive experience in getting GLBT articles in mainstream media. Her name is Cathy Renna and she was for many years the media person at GLAAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance against defamation).
We will also use the material to write an epilogue to the published version of the play.
4 comments:
HEY! Can I come? I can carry luggage. :)
-Bob
I think TTP is an amazing group and I applaud you for your efforts espeicially with The Laramie Project. I am eagarly waiting to see what comes of your visit and how the video's and especially the epilogue turns out!
I continue to be amazed at the way Matthew Shepard's life has changed the world. Through The Tectonic Theater Project, Matt's story has reached thousands of people and continues to foster even more positive relationships.
The positive effect of Matt's short life is growing exponentially around the world. The Shepards, all of those responsible for developing "The Laramie Project" and the good people of Laramie, Wyoming should be proud to know that they have made, and they will continue to make a positive difference in our world.
Let the 10th anniversary of Matt's tragic death rekindle Matt's spirit in our hearts and guarantee the God-given right of equality for all people.
-Bob Angelini
Here is a link to some slides from our production:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7W09ddhbTw
Thanks!
Post a Comment