Post-show discussions with cast, UPenn professors and members of GLBT community planned following each performance
Workshops with Tectonic Theater Project members also planned
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents Tectonic Theater Project’s groundbreaking play The Laramie Project and the new companion piece The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, November 11-13, 2010. Now more relevant than ever, these two plays explore the impact that the murder of Matthew Shephard (12 years ago this month) had not only on the town of Laramie, Wyoming but also on our nation, and how the effect of that impact continues to be felt today. According to the Boston Herald, “Tectonic’s production of The Laramie Project and Ten Years Later is a rare wonder indeed. This is theater that’s more than just powerful; it’s elemental.” Performances take place in the Zellerbach Theatre and are part of a limited seven city national tour by Tectonic Theater Project. For tickets or for more information, please visit AnnenbergCenter.org or call 215.898.3900. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Annenberg Center Box Office.
Directed by Tony® and Emmy® Award nominee Moisés Kaufman and Emmy® Award nominee Leigh Fondakowski, The Laramie Project examines the 1998 murder of college student Matthew Shepard, the victim of a hate crime in Laramie, Wyoming. The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, depicts the town of Laramie 10 years after the original event. The play premiered in October 2009 in New York City with simultaneous productions at 150 other theaters worldwide. Both plays are written by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber. This tour is the first time these two plays will be performed together.
The cast for The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later includes: Scott Barrow (Broadway’s 33 Variations), Mark Berger (recent NYU Tisch School of the Arts graduate), Jeremy Bobb (Broadway’s Is He Dead?), Mercedes Herrero (Off-Broadway’s Journeys, original The Laramie Project), Greg Pierotti (original The Laramie Project), Amy Resnick (Off-Broadway’s Death of Frank), Christina Rouner (Broadway’s Coram Boy) and Kelli Simpkins (original The Laramie Project).
Tectonic Theater Project is an award-winning company whose plays have been
performed around the world. Founded in 1991 by Moisés
Kaufman and Jeffrey LaHoste. Tectonic refers to the art and science of
structure and was chosen to emphasize the company's interest in construction –
how things are made, and how they might be made differently. Its groundbreaking
plays, The Laramie Project, Gross Indecency, The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde
and I Am My Own Wife, have sparked national discourse about their subjects and
have inspired artists and audiences worldwide.
Laramie Enhancement Events
Following each performance, audience members will have the opportunity to participate in a post-show talkback with members of the casts of The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, Penn faculty members and other LGBT advocates. A full schedule is listed below.
Thursday, November 11, 2010 – Post-show talk back with The Laramie Project cast
Join members of the cast for a post-show talkback facilitated by Dr. Katherine Sender, Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the Annenberg School for Communication and Matt Nosanchuk, Senior Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, and representative for the Obama Administration on LGBT Issues. This event will take place in the Zellerbach Theatre.
Friday, November 12, 2010 – Post-show talk back with The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later cast
Join members of the cast for a post-show talkback facilitated by Dr. Cary Mazer, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts and English, and Ty Furman, Director of University Life Arts Initiatives. This event will take place in the Zellerbach Theatre.
Saturday, November 13, 2010 (matinee) – Post-show audience chat
Join us for a post-show audience chat. This event will take place after the 2 PM performance in the Zellerbach Theatre.
Saturday, November 13, 2010 (evening) – Post-show talk back with The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later cast
Join us for a post-show talkback with the cast. This event will take place after the 8 PM performance in the Zellerbach Theatre.
Other events on the University of Pennsylvania’s campus surrounding these performances include a free workshop on November 10, 2010 from 7-9:00 PM with Tectonic Theater Project member Greg Pierotti. The workshop, titled “The Role of Theatre in Political Discourse” will delve into the history of The Laramie Project, its development and resonances on both personal and political levels, and the meaning and impact of Matthew Shepard’s story within the conversation around gender and sexuality in the United States. Following this, Pierotti will lead the group in a discussion about the role of theatre in political discourse and the impact of the recent spate of suicides in the LGBTQ community, provoked by hate speech and other anti-gay baiting.
Tectonic Theater Project will also host two Moment Work workshops at the Annenberg Center on November 8-10, 2010. For more information about these workshops and all other events surrounding the performances, please visit AnnenbergCenter.org/laramieandbeyond.
