The Laramie Project
At the Agassiz Theater
at Harvard University
Jason Wong, Director
On the night of October 6th, 1998, Matthew Shepard was forcefully taken to an area outside of Laramie, Wyoming, tied to a fence, brutally beaten, and left to die. Matthew passed away a few days later from head injuries related to his beating. The Laramie Project is a powerful play not because it documents the story behind a real event, but because it tries to reveal the sources of hatred that brought about that crime, and how these sources of hatred persist.
Ultimately, the theme behind The Laramie Project is not revenge, or retaliation, but hope. Although something horrible has happened, we all have hope that we can learn from our experience and prevent another 10/6/98 from happening again. Not only can we all do our part to prevent another similar event from happening again, but we can all do our part to make the society we live in better. This isn't a story about one community in particular, but particularly is about all of our communities.
What I appreciate about the play is that it doesn't present one message concerning what's right or wrong. It doesn't preach on top of a soapbox in that way. It presents a story through the lens of different characters, and allows you to feel for yourself what seems to be right or what seems to be wrong.
This will be my first, and most likely (although I hesitate to predict the future) last Harvard theatrical event. Last year, I published an op-ed in The Crimson bemoaning the lack of diversity at Harvard Theater, and that piece set me on the path to where I am today. Casting for this show was done by committee, and was color-blind and mostly gender-neutral. What you see on stage is a group of incredibly talented, diverse, and motivated and inspiring individuals, and an equally talented, diverse, and motivated and inspiring group of individuals who supported them behind the scenes as crew members and supporters.
I would sincerely like to thank the super-talented cast and crew of The Laramie Project, for being such a wonderful and passionate group of people. Thank you so much for going on this adventure with me, and for allowing me to share this adventure with you. I would also like to thank all my dear friends and family, for without your support I would not be able to live this dream. "What a dream." Indeed. Finally, I would like to thank the Office for the Arts at Harvard, for giving us this opportunity to bring this show to Harvard, and a sincere thank you to all of our organizational supporters, and community and staff partners and friends. Without your support, we would not be where we are today.
I hope you enjoy the show.
On the night of October 6th, 1998, Matthew Shepard was forcefully taken to an area outside of Laramie, Wyoming, tied to a fence, brutally beaten, and left to die. Matthew passed away a few days later from head injuries related to his beating. The Laramie Project is a powerful play not because it documents the story behind a real event, but because it tries to reveal the sources of hatred that brought about that crime, and how these sources of hatred persist.
Ultimately, the theme behind The Laramie Project is not revenge, or retaliation, but hope. Although something horrible has happened, we all have hope that we can learn from our experience and prevent another 10/6/98 from happening again. Not only can we all do our part to prevent another similar event from happening again, but we can all do our part to make the society we live in better. This isn't a story about one community in particular, but particularly is about all of our communities.
What I appreciate about the play is that it doesn't present one message concerning what's right or wrong. It doesn't preach on top of a soapbox in that way. It presents a story through the lens of different characters, and allows you to feel for yourself what seems to be right or what seems to be wrong.
This will be my first, and most likely (although I hesitate to predict the future) last Harvard theatrical event. Last year, I published an op-ed in The Crimson bemoaning the lack of diversity at Harvard Theater, and that piece set me on the path to where I am today. Casting for this show was done by committee, and was color-blind and mostly gender-neutral. What you see on stage is a group of incredibly talented, diverse, and motivated and inspiring individuals, and an equally talented, diverse, and motivated and inspiring group of individuals who supported them behind the scenes as crew members and supporters.
I would sincerely like to thank the super-talented cast and crew of The Laramie Project, for being such a wonderful and passionate group of people. Thank you so much for going on this adventure with me, and for allowing me to share this adventure with you. I would also like to thank all my dear friends and family, for without your support I would not be able to live this dream. "What a dream." Indeed. Finally, I would like to thank the Office for the Arts at Harvard, for giving us this opportunity to bring this show to Harvard, and a sincere thank you to all of our organizational supporters, and community and staff partners and friends. Without your support, we would not be where we are today.
I hope you enjoy the show.
Director's Note
January 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m.
January 10, 11 at 2:00 p.m.
January 10, 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Jason Wong, Director | Jacqueline Palumbo & Lymaira Reyes, Assistant Directors | Truc Doan & Karla Reyes, Producers
Jan Luksic, Set Design | Moonlit Wang, Costume Design | Matt Stone and Paul Sawyier, Light Design | Sam Stuntz, Sound
Jan Luksic, Set Design | Moonlit Wang, Costume Design | Matt Stone and Paul Sawyier, Light Design | Sam Stuntz, Sound
by Moises Kaufman and The Tectonic Theater Project