The Laramie Project

The Laramie Project is a play developed by members of the Tectonic Theater Project focusing on the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay university student. Members of the Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie, Wyoming, and returned a total of six times. Over the course of these visits they conducted over 200 interviews with members of the town, including those directly and indirectly involved with the case. Both a moving a chilling production, The Laramie Project takes a close look at a community of people and their reactions to an act of hate they didn’t think could happen in their town.

The fall of 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s murder and the focus of the world on Laramie, Wyoming. At this time we ask ourselves; how much has changed in two decades? Sadly, we continue to see violence perpetrated against individuals because of their gender expression or sexual orientation. The Laramie Project is as important today as it was 20 years ago to encourage people, and young people especially, to think about the impact of their words and actions and to reflect on prejudice they may see within their own communities.

It takes a village after all.