December 5 - 9, 2013
Springfield Technical Community College theatre workshop
students are set to open their performance of “The Laramie Project,” a play
that chronicles the reaction to the death of Matthew Shepard, a gay University
of Wyoming student who was brutally murdered in 1998.
Shepard’s murder, denounced as a hate crime, became the
rallying cry against hate and homophobia internationally. The play, by Moises
Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project, will be performed by
students, along with appearances from STCC faculty and staff. Assistant
Professor of English/Theater Greg Trochlil is the producer.
“The Laramie Project” production will conclude the theatre
students’ semester-long involvement with the topic, which commemorates the
15-year anniversary of Shepard’s death.
Trochlil said he is encouraged by how many people in the
STCC campus community have been involved with the project, but notes how
discouraging it is that so many people are still affected by hate. "The
attitudes that promote hate, bullying, and prejudice, unfortunately, still
affect many of us, our friends and our families,” said Trochlil. “We would like
to continue to bring awareness to attitudes and behaviors that promote acceptance
of the diversity of the STCC and Springfield communities.”
Performances will be held in the Scibelli Hall (Building 2)
theatre on December 5 at 11 am, December 6 and 7 at 7:30pm, December 8 at 2 pm,
and December 9 at 12:15pm. There will be a special “talk back” session hosted
by STCC Professor Phil O’Donoghue after the final performance. General
admission tickets are $10; $5 for students.
