The Laramie Project: Tickets on Sale
Twenty years ago this past fall, on the evening of Oct 6th, 1998, openly gay university student Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, viciously beaten and left to die, tied to a fence on the starry outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. In the aftermath of what became known as one of the most infamous hate crimes in modern American history, the close-knit citizens of Laramie were left to confront and investigate the brutality of the crime, its roots in hate and intolerance, and the possibility of the community’s own culpability under intense and unsparing national and international media scrutiny.
Over the course of 18 months following Matthew Shepard’s murder, members of the Tectonic Theatre Project would travel to Laramie and conduct more than 200 interviews with its residents to construct a complex and deeply moving theatrical account of a community’s attempt to make sense of the unthinkable and reconcile the unimaginable - The Laramie Project.
The Laramie Project’s call, not just to tolerance, but to acceptance, is more compelling than ever in a world beset by cruelty, indifference, obstinate prejudice. As audience members travel with the actors over the course of the production, it becomes clear that the community they begin to recognize is their own, and in that recognition comes the realization that the time for positive change is the urgent responsibility of all.
The unique and compelling experience of this production will become a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as each show will be followed by a talkback during which Matthew’s parents, Dennis and Judy, will reflect during an open discussion with the audience on Matthew, the meaning of his death and life and the more accepting world we all hope to build.
The Laramie Project will run on Thursday, February 28th and Friday, March 1st @ 7:00 pm with a special closing gala performance in Dennis, Judy and Matthew’s honour on Saturday, March 2nd at 1:30 pm, with all proceeds going to the Matthew Shepard Foundation in support of its mission to “Erase Hate”. Tickets are $15.
The parents of Mathew, Dennis and Judy Shepard, will conduct post-production talkbacks following all three performances.
***Tickets will be filled on a first-come first-served basis and they will be available for pickup on February 21st.***
The parents of Mathew, Dennis and Judy Shepard, will conduct post-production talkbacks following all three performances.
***Tickets will be filled on a first-come first-served basis and they will be available for pickup on February 21st.***
The Laramie Project is an emotionally powerful play that calls for dialogue acceptance and understanding in a balanced and constructive manner. Talkbacks hosted by Matthew's parents, Dennis and Judy, are meant to provide context and facilitate discussion as we look to address discrimination in any form. Please note, however, that, while The Laramie Project does not depict acts of violence, it does contain mature language and themes. Parental discretion is advised.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
