St. Ignatius's The Eye: Volume LXXIX Number II

There are moments in history when a particular event brings the various ideologies and beliefs prevailing in a culture into sharp focus. At these junctures, the event becomes a lightning rod of sorts, attracting and distilling the essence of these philosophies and convictions.
    In this way, Moisés Kaufman introduces The Laramie Project, a play created by Moisés and his fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project. The “particular event” to which he alludes in this introduction is the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student savagely beaten simply because of who he was: a homosexual man living in Laramie, Wyoming.
    A phenomenally moving piece and a challenging acting opportunity, the play is compiled from interviews conducted by the acting troupe over an eighteenmonth period. During six trips to the secluded hamlet of Laramie, Wyoming, the Tectonic Theater Project conducted over two hundred interviews, which were edited to create the final product of The Laramie Project. The play stands out for reasons other than its social ramifications. In contrast to traditional style, there is little dialogue in the play; the play is in essence a series of monologues delivered by a plethora of different characters. Another distinguishing aspect of the play is the lack of sets and costumes. The desired effect of this paucity is to draw the focus to what is being said. Words are the centerpiece of this production.
    A decision that has elicited controversy, St. Ignatius has elected this piece as its Fall Drama. The Laramie Project is a play that focuses on an event that attracted worldwide attention, and how it affected the citizens of a small town. What it is not about, despite what some say, is homosexuality. It makes no insinuations, judgements, or pretenses. The play was chosen not to preach a certain view, but to stimulate healthy discussion in the Ignatius community. The goal of the play is to make people think, to encourage people to examine themselves and their attitudes. “The worst that can happen is that someone leaves the theater completely unaffected,” says Mr. Fujimoto, the play’s director. The production was chosen to bring wrong to light and celebrate what is right. “This play makes no statements against anything except hate and violence,” says senior Dan Wilbur, one of only ten actors in the play. I myself am an actor in the play as well. What this piece has done for me has strengthened my resolve against ignorance, hate, and senseless violence. My only hope is that Laramie Project does the same for all who see it. I hope that it encourages others to examine themselves as the people of Laramie were tragically forced to do.
    The Laramie Project will be performed at St. Ignatius on October 22, 23, and 24. All major aspects of the play will be student- produced, including an original piece of music by senior Joe Stepec. Each show will begin at 7:00 PM, with discussion groups held after each performance.