Thursday, September 24, 2009
A return to Laramie
Berkeley Rep Blog: "It is hard to imagine that more than 10 years have passed since Matthew Shepard’s life was taken with hate in Laramie, Wyoming."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
First off, I am so glad that Carnegie Mellon gets to be a part of the epilogue reading of The Laramie Project. Second, I'm glad that they created an epilogue. In the original play, there are a few discussions of the actual improvements in the wake of Matthew's death. I think it's important, not to mention interesting, to see the improvements or lack of improvements in the last ten years. From the trailer they mention how the Hate Crime Prevention Act did not pass. It's important to show that while the Laramie Project had a great effect on the nation and the town of Laramie, that there is still so much to be done. While there may be an emotional effect, there still needs to be political action. Additionally, they are referencing that the people of Laramie still are debating the nature of Matthew's murder. Theater projects and pieces do not always make the complete change that they intend to, and it's nice to see that the Tectonic Theater Company is still pushing to affect this community and nation.
I am really excited about the our reading of Laramie Project. Since the first part is very well know in the theatre community everyone is going to try to attend. I am just a little worried about everyone actually having a chance to see it. AEA just recently came out with contract stating that are to be no live feeds or records of the project. While I understand the reasoning behind this I think this is a mistake. Our reading is going to take place in the Rauh; which has has very limited seating. I think allowing everyone to hear the message of the play is far more important than protecting content and image.
This article hits a little close to home for me as well. I first learned about Matthew Shepard in the 7th grade during a unit on tolerance, which was actually very intense for middle school, and that really provoked an interest in gay rights. Speaking as a CA resident, Prop 8 was a major blow, and throughout this time when we are fighting for a cause, it's really great to see theatre responding to social issues, (if you haven't seen Prop 8 the musical, youtube it right now). I am very grateful that they have chosen to make an epilogue, and put Matthew Shepard on the table for discussion again to show that 10 years later, we are still facing the same issues and fighting for the same rights.
Docu-Plays are a strange thing. People imitating real people and saying the actual words of that person is odd. In a film you capture the exact event. In theatre the actor can still change and play with it. In addition film can create visual backstories that are limited in theatre. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is a strange play in that it attempts to document the events. But the choice of using live theatre to do so is somewhat debatable.
Personally I don't like how such a sensitive and personal topic is portrayed by actors who did not actually experience the lives of their inspiration.
As for this epilogue it still functions as a documentation for overall events. I am curious to see how the latest installment works with the original piece but I am also hesitant to jump on the sympathy band wagon. I feel that a certain group of plays get publicity and press due to the subject matter or the artistic process (Both of which are extremely interesting in THE LARAMIE PROJECT). But no one is willing to examine the piece in a vacuum and look at it's actual artistic success.
I am of course going to see the play when it is done here at CMU but I honestly don't know if I will like it or not.
I'm very happy that this project is going on, and that the school is being adventurous enough to join it. TO my mind, socially active art like this is the most important part of the art side of the school. I often feel pretty apathetic about shows we do, but when one comes along like this, with an actual point, discussing something contemporary, I'm encouraged.
It's so important that no one forgets about what happened to Matthew Shepard, and I think that is why it is so great that there is now an epilogue to The Laramie Project. It's also really good timing for this because of what is going on right now with prop 8. I hope that this epilogue is received well by Americans and I think that it will be. Even though the US has come so far since then, we are still struggling with gay rights, and I hope that this helps to push this country in the right direction.
I'm glad to see that so many people are interested and excited that CMU will also be participating in this event. I take special interest because of my close connection with the town and people of Laramie, Wyoming. I lived there for four years (starting 6 years after the tragedy) and find it interesting to compare the thoughts and comments of the people I know to the people interviewed in the play (some of whom I also know).
As PM of this project, I hope we can accommodate, in some fashion or other, all of the students who wish to see our production. It promises to be an interesting show.
Post a Comment