Theatre to stage 'The Laramie Project'

The School of Music & Theatre will present The Laramie Project Feb. 2-5, featuring a cast of 22 student actors performing more than 60 roles. Divided into three acts, The Laramie Project is the docudrama that utilizes actual interviews, journals and press writings to recount the effects of the 1998 murder of gay college student Matthew Shepherd in Laramie, Wyoming. The play explores how Shepherd’s murder affects not only the families and perpetrators but the entire town of Laramie. The play originally premiered in 2000 and drew national attention to the lack of hate crime laws across the U.S. as well as protests from Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church.

The Laramie Project is directed by Stephen Svoboda, visiting assistant professor. Visiting guest artist Chaun-Chi Chan is handling lighting design. The following Heidelberg students have been cast in the production: Haley Schreiner, Sam Stohlman, Justin Varney, Emma Brockwell, Austin Buckhalter, Gavin Hubbard, Connor Applegate, Krysten Lilly, Emma Penrose, Joe Boehler, Madison Swyers, Mackenzie James, Tyler Majoy, Ethan Miller, Erikka Breidenbach, Samantha Escalera, Myka Scott, Cameron Lyons and Shayla Thomas.

Show dates and curtain times are as follows:

• Preview Performance – Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. (Free for students and $10 for general admission.)

• Friday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. ($5 for students, $10 general admission)

• Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. ($5 for students, $10 general admission)

• Sunday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m. ($5 for students, $10 general admission)

All of the performances will be in Gundlach Theatre. Tickets are available in advance by calling the School of Music & Theatre at 419-448- 2073 and at the door.