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H.S. students take stage for production of "The Laramie Project"
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Press release submitted by Ted Stephens III High school students from across the state of Iowa converge on Davenport for production of 'The Laramie Project' DAVENPORT, Iowa—High school students from across the state of Iowa will take to the stage of Davenport North High School in a production of "The Laramie Project" on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The one-night-only performance for the public is being produced in conjunction with the Iowa Thespian Festival, which brings thousands of high schools theatre students together once a year for a series of workshops, competitions and productions. Tickets are $8 and available in advance at www.iowathespians.org or at the door on the evening of the performance. Written by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project, "The Laramie Project" is a breathtaking theatrical collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which people are all capable. In 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay student registered at the University of Wyoming, was tied to a cattle fence, beaten about the head, robbed, and left to die on a bitterly cold night in October. His bloody, bruised and battered body was not discovered until the next day, and he died several days later in an area hospital. In November 1998, Kaufman went to Laramie and conducted interviews with over 200 residents of the community to document how they were coping with the reality of the brutal hate crime perpetrated by two area youth. From these interviews, "The Laramie Project" was formed. Srda Vasiljevic, a senior at DesMoines Roosevelt High and an actor in the production, first read "The Laramie Project" as a freshman in high school, and it had a profound effect on him. He's humbled, he says, to be part of this production. "I think it is one of the most honest contemporary plays in today's society," he says. "It truly analyzes the psyche of a small town shattered by an incredible act of brutality. But the thing that sets the show apart is that it does not take a stance on the issue. Rather, it presents all sides in an accurate and equal way. That is really rare and unique." Elizabeth Hansen, the show's director and a high school teacher at Grinnell High School, says the play captures the emotions and reflections of the people of Laramie, and asks the audience to call into question beliefs and values such as faith, tolerance, forgiveness, community and the need for truth. For the students acting in it, she says, it's a unique opportunity to perform in a show that most high schools shy away from. "Our mission for the all-state show is to produce something that most high schools perhaps couldn't do, for whatever reason," says Hansen. "I'm proud of the Iowa Thespians' decision to tell this story. There's never been a better time to have dialogue and understanding in the state of Iowa than now, with the court decision in the state to recognize gay marriage and the recent passing of The Matthew Shepard Act last month. To prepare for the production, Hansen and technical director Michael Hunter traveled to Laramie, Wyoming. It was on that trip that Hansen came to understand the universality of the story. "There's a point in the show that one of the characters says, 'Hate is not a Laramie value.' Well, hate is not an Iowa value either," Hansen continues. "The real message of this play is that there really is hope to end hate amongst all people." "I hope that people will walk away from this play with a more open-minded, accepting attitude toward all people," says Caitlin Beckwith-Ferguson, a senior at Grinnell High and an actor in the show. "It is more worthwhile to put effort into raising up the things you love, than putting down the things you dislike." "And, it's important for stories like 'The Laramie Project' to be told because it gives people the opportunity to have honest, open discussions about issues that can be difficult to jump into," adds Brittany VanFosson, a senior from Clarinda High and an actor. "I have learned than an individual is defined by their personal character, by their life, by their generosity, by their warmth…not by their sexuality," says Vasiljevic. "I have also learned each choice we make has a consequence, and that a single act of hatred can effect an entire community, country and world." "That's the beauty of educational theatre," says Hansen. "This play has opened up dialogue amongst students across the state—dialogue they might not have had. The maturity and dignity with which these students are telling this story has made me so proud." 
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