The Laramie Project

For a year and a half following the murder of Matthew Shepard, Moises Kaufman and his Tectonic Theater Project-whose previous play, Gross Indecency, was hailed as a work of unsurpassed originality-conducted hundreds of interviews with the citizens of Laramie, Wyoming, to create this portrait of a town struggling with a horrific event.

The savage killing of Shepard, a young gay man, has become a national symbol of the struggle against intolerance. But for the people of Laramie-both the friends of Matthew and those who hated him without knowing him-the tragedy was personal. In a chorus of voices that brings to mind Thornton Wilder's Our Town, The Laramie Project allows those most deeply affected to speak, and the result is a brilliantly moving theatrical creation.

I picked this script up already having known to some extent the story of Matthew Shepard and was interested in reading this play. I quickly fell in love with the style in which it was written; this usage of "moments" driven by quotations from real people is strikingly poignant and very unique. Its delivery is relatively unbiased and gives some insight as to the person that Matthew was and the tragedy that took place.

The play itself is deeply moving altogether and a very relevant piece today. I recommend this masterpiece to anyone whether or not they know who Matthew was, and whether or not they are in or are involved in the LGBTQI community. I highly recommend also seeing a performance of the show if possible; it's incredible.

I bought this book here on Amazon just as something interesting to read between classes. Little did I know that I would open it the day I got it and finish it before the next night. This is a great play, and the fact that it is based off of true events and dialogues make it that much more intriguing. I must say however, this tale of a life cut short left me somewhat heartbroken-because it is painfully real. I could completely relate to this play and I already have multiple friends and acquaintances asking to borrow it. I recommend this to anyone and everyone (above the age of 15) and I hope this story continues to speak to the nation and inspire change and consideration to everyone who touches it's cover.

This is an extremely powerful, moving and gripping piece of theatre. I read it only knowing the basic concept of the play and was moved to tears several times in the piece. It is well written and craftfully compiled - allowing "the truth" to unfold in its own natural way. I purchased this play to read as a potential piece to produce for a college theatre group and it definitely left me in favor!

The book arrived in less than a week from when I ordered it, and appears to be new though I ordered a "used book"!

About 10 years ago. Matthew Shepard was tortured and killed outside of Laramie, Wyoming. His killers, motivated by greed and hate, tied him to a fence on the lonely prairie, beat him, stole his shoes and wallet, and left him to die.

Shepard was found by a bicyclist the next day, but died shortly after in a hospital. In announcing his death, his parents stated ""Go home, give your kids a hug, and don't let a day go by without telling them that you love them."

Four weeks after the death of Matthew Shepard, nine members of the Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie and started collecting interviews with members of the community. They collected over 200 interviews in a 18 month period. The result? The Laramie Project, a powerful play on hate, tolerance, forgiveness, and religion.

This book is the screenplay. I've seen the play performed twice, once in Honolulu and once in Utah. Reading the screenplay wasn't as powerful as experiencing the performance, but it was powerful nonetheless. You are numbed as you "hear", in their own words, people point fingers, make accusations, and try to find meaning in this event.

"I did hear from Matthew about forty-eight hours before his attack. And he told me that he had joined the gay and lesbian group on campus, and that he said he was enjoying it, you know, he was getting ready for Pride Week and whatnot. I mean, he was totally stoked about school - yeah, he was really happy about being there" (p. 20).

"There is a proclamation that came out on the family. A family is defined as one woman and one man and children. That's a family. That's about as clear as you can state it. There's no sexual deviation in the Mormon Church. No - no leniency. We just think it's out-of-bounds" (p. 25).

"If you had a hundred customers like him it'd be the - the most perfect bar I've ever been in. Okay? And nothing to do with sexual orientation. Um, absolute mannerisms. Manners. Politeness, intelligence" (p. 29).

So now it is 2008, not 1998. What has changed? Could this type of crime still happen today? Would the community respond to this event in the same way?

This 112 page paperback is highly recommended.