Rosebud’s Laramie Project: important story, powerful play

Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor

The Laramie Project opened on Rosebud’s BMO Studio Stage, April 1.
This powerful play, directed by Paul F. Muir, tells the story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old University of Wyoming student. In October 1998, he was abducted, tied to a fence, beaten and left to die.
It turned out Matthew was murdered because he was gay.
A month later, a team from Tectonic Theatre Project came to Laramie to interview townspeople about the incident. The script of The Laramie Project is taken from those interviews.
This show is performed by 10 second-year students and three graduates of Rosebud School of the Arts, each of whom plays multiple characters. We might expect students to perform different roles simply as variations of their own personalities, but that’s definitely not the case. Each actor gives an engaging, distinctly different performance of each character.
Days later, some performances still stand out in my memory: Anna Dalgliesh as the first officer on the scene, Heidi MacDonald as the cab driver, Zach Running Coyote as the straight actor who performed the role of a gay man, and Mikayla Whitehouse as the bartender, one of the last to see Matthew alive. Matthew Oliver van Diepen also gives a convincing portrayal of the pitiable, unrepentant killer.
The murder of Matthew Shepard, who was studying political science because he wanted to make the world better for humanity, ended the lives of three young men – his 19- and 21-year-old murderers are finishing their lives in prison.
But Matthew’s death also sparked international discussions leading to greater acceptance of all people, and resulted in the enactment of federal hate crime legislation.
The Laramie Project tells a dark story and makes us ask serious questions. We must admit that hate crimes – based on race, sexual orientation and ability – can and do happen right here. What influences teach people it’s acceptable to behave in these ways?
But The Laramie Project also overflows with light and love and hope. It’s full of funny moments, because even in crises, people say hilarious things.
Much more than that, it’s a story about choosing to love those who are different than we are. It’s a story about choosing to show kindness, even to those who’ve hurt us. And it’s an inspiration to nurture in ourselves and in our children the belief that every human being is precious and deserving of love.
I believe this is the most important play I’ve seen for several years. I urge you to see it.
The Laramie Project plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays now through April 22. Get tickets at 1-800-267-7553 or rosebudtheatre.com.