The Laramie Project- It's Been 10 Years

So last night I went to a high school production of "The Laramie Project". Can I just say how unbelievably awesome it is to see teenagers who are mature enough to not only present this material, but to also really understand it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not underestimating youth. I'm just remarking on how far we've come. We didn't do plays at my high school that really dealt with life and discrimination and hate. We did fun shows or dramas, but nothing like this. And I didn't go to a small town school. We were pretty forward thinking, but it just wouldn't have happened when I was in school. It's also really cool to see them do the high school version of RENT. It's just great, because this is stuff that does affect these kids and now we're letting them explore that, rather than trying to shelter them. Not to say that this progress is happening everywhere, because it's definitely not. It was just touching to see them do this show and really feel it and understand it. I saw it in college and thought it was awesome, but it made so much more of an impact on me last night, coming from the kids. The kid who did Dennis Shepard's speech to one of the killers, wow...he was incredible. He brought more depth and emotion to it than some adults that I've seen do it. And he was the same kid that they had play the hateful Fred Phelps...what a difference. It was all just spectacular and really moving.

What's also really interesting is that they're performing it this week, when our country has made such progress in one way, but taken a step back in others. The same week that Prop 8 got passed. And it's been 10 years since Matthew's death. I searched to see if anyone started a thread about it on October 12th and I didn't find one. It's interesting to see how far we've come and yet...how much left there is to do.

Just thought I'd put that out there...

Best of luck to your soon! Which roles is he playing? I hope they sell more seats!

I've said it before in other threads, but I'll say it again:

My high school did the Laramie Project a couple of years ago, and it was legitimately one of the most profound, affecting pieces of theater I have ever seen. Unbelievably powerful, and something that I wish every single person in this world could see.

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Why, yes I am.

When you mentioned the school edition of RENT (Probably the one at Churchhill High School), I got an inkling that we saw the same production.

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I'm dumb...it just occurred to me that you probably just meant that we might have gone to the same RENT performance and not Laramie, right? D'oh...

Auggie that's too bad! But hopefully with word of mouth the sales will pick up. Nonetheless that's 35 people who can be moved by this story and their performances.

Wow...it sounds wonderful! :) Which four roles is your son playing?

The Dennis Shepard role is remarkable. That final speech/monologue is demanding, but so touching. How cool for him...seriously!

The production I saw was technically very exciting. They used live cameras and projected those images on three screens behind them. So like when the hospital spokesperson would come out to give the medical updates, they had her live image on the screens as if you're watching her on TV. And they used that technique when all the reporters come into town as well. They used a lot of music and imagery on the screens, too. Not quite as simple, but really really cool.

Their set was just three black platforms of different heights. Then they had two sections of fence that look like THE fence. And the screens. On the side they had painted scenery like mountains and such, but that part really wasn't necessary. (Not criticizing, just my opinion)

Well break a leg to your son! I can't wait to hear more about it! :)

Well, the original play only has 8 people. It's supposed to have the Tectonics reenacting the people of Laramie, but my director wanted to have a bigger cast, so she made the Tectonics separate, and they split up the lines that are supposed to belong to a single narrator.

My son's cast has 26 actors playing the 60 some roles. I've only seen a bit of a tech, but the larger number on stage is quite effective. Again, the OUR TOWN angle really serves the piece. They didn't adhere to the division of roles as defined in the text; some people are playing the same roles assigned Tectonic members, but there's great flexibility. That's what's remarkable about the piece. I think college theater depts tend to stage it with smaller companies, but high schools can use big casts and involve many students -- both artistically satisfying, and a great lesson about Shepard. For a group of teenagers to spend 6-7 weeks with the material -- well, the rewards are huge, the impact perhaps life-changing

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Schmergie, you are in Northern Virginia like Luscious?

What HS do you go to? I used to teach at West Springfield (also at Woodbridge, Edison and Mt. Vernon)

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(All of those schools used to play mine, George C. Marshall, on the Falls Church/McClean/Tysons Corner border, as StockardFan and I have already discussed. None of which has anything to do with this thread...)

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