onstagepittsburgh.com: The Theatre Factory presents The Laramie Project, the groundbreaking documentary-style play by Moisés Kaufman, and the Tectonic Theater Project, running February 21 – 23 & 27 and March 1. This compelling production brings to life the voices of the people of Laramie, Wyoming, in the wake of the 1998 hate crime that took the life of Matthew Shepard.
2 comments:
I was in a production of the Laramie Project. It was incredibly impactful and heart wrenching. The dichotomy of the characters in the play really presented how the folks in Wyoming will say that they are tolerant of every person in their town and yet that only holds true to the straight population. In the play one of the major through lines is the use of the sayings, “Live, and let live” which should mean that every person can live their life how they want to. This devolves into every person can live their life as long as they show that they are straight. In the eyes of the residents of Laramie, if they are not straight they should hide their true feelings or get out. The fake love and tolerance that the audience starts to piece together truly puts Matthew Shepard’s murder at a new loss. The importance that the play is continuing to be put on today highlights that facts that this intolerance is unfortunately still here and even worse, growing.
I love that The Laramie Project is still being performed because it’s such an important story that I think more people need to know about. I worked on this show in high school as a lighting designer, and it was one of the most powerful and emotional productions I think I’ve ever been a part of. The way it tells Matthew Shepard’s story through the voices of the people in Laramie makes it feel so real and personal. It’s heartbreaking but also really inspiring in the way it highlights resilience and the push for change. This isn’t just a play; it’s a reminder of how much hate still exists and why telling these stories matters. The way the show is structured with a small cast playing multiple roles makes it even more impactful. It really forces you to see the different perspectives of the town and how people react to something so awful happening in their own backyard. I’m so glad The Theatre Factory is putting on this production, and I hope a lot of people go see it. It’s the kind of show that sticks with you long after you leave the theater.
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