'Laramie Project' opens with threat of anti-gay protestors

The IU Department of Theatre and Drama's production of "The Laramie Project," a docudrama, has been reproduced throughout the nation since its New York premiere in 2000. The play was originally produced by members of the Tectonic Theater Project and captured the attention of Pastor Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., an anti-gay group that has picketed many of the performance locations. Phelps and his group recently announced they will be picketing IU's production of "The Laramie Project" April 1 through 3.\n"The Laramie Project," which premieres at the Wells-Metz Theatre this weekend, chronicles a community's reactions to the well-publicized 1998 murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard. Shepard was kidnapped by two young men because of his sexual orientation and was then beaten, tied to a fence and left to die.\nVisiting Director Lynne Perkins said she is not surprised Phelps and his group are protesting the play.\n"This is a group that has made a practice of protesting the play wherever it goes," Perkins said. \nPhelps has been active in the Shepard story since the beginning. He picketed with anti-gay sentiments at the hospital where Shepard died and then marched at the funeral. Phelps' preaching can be heard in "The Laramie Project," since he was made into a character in this play.\nJohn Kinzer, IU Theater and Drama director of audience development, said precautions are being taken to make sure that audiences will be safe during the picketing. \n"We are working with the dean of students and the IUPD to see what kind of procedures we can take to handle this and protect our audience seeing the show," said Kinzer.\nThe play was written by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project who traveled to Laramie after Shepard's death. The group interviewed members of the community about the affect of the crime and the media circus on the town. The Tectonic Theater Project assembled a script voicing the various feelings expressed by Laramie residents in the aftermath of the Shepard murder. Every actor in the production plays multiple roles -- sometimes changing characters while on stage. \n"One of the great things about this play is that it explores the issue from every conceivable angle," Perkins said. "It very consciously says, 'I want to understand people I don't understand. Help me do that.'"\nPerkins said the play investigates motivation for hate by asking who are the "bad guys." The play questions whether or not there have to be "bad guys" and if it is possible to have compassion for everyone. The play illustrates the necessity to investigate hateful events like the Shepard case and to learn what compelled the murderers to commit the crime. \nIn order to prepare her cast to play multiple viewpoints, Perkins sent her troupe out into the community to do interviews like those conducted by the Tectonic Theater Project. She said some of the results were a bit frightening. One actor encountered a group of boys who were bragging about what they had done to a gay guy earlier that day. \n"People are sort of blind to the problems that are around them until something like this happens," said Jonathan Molitor, a graduate acting student whose thesis performance is "The Laramie Project." In the show, Molitor plays seven different roles.\nThe Theatre Circle and the Department of Theatre and Drama assembled a discussion panel after Saturday's matinee performance, consisting of health care professionals, leaders of the gay community and students, to explore the issues brought up in this play. \nKinzer said the play serves as a catalyst for debate. \n"Everywhere this play has been done, it has sparked good conversation and dialogue in the community," Kinzer said. "This is the kind of thing we should have for a show like this. It should be a very good discussion, and I'm looking forward to it." \nThe discussion panel takes place at 4:30 p.m. March 27 after the matinee performance in the Wells-Metz Theatre and is free to the public. Kinzer encouraged people to come to the discussion even if they are not going to the matinee.\n"The Laramie Project" runs at the Wells-Metz Theatre at 8 p.m. March 26 through 27, 29 through 31 and April 1 through 3 with matinees at 2 p.m. March 27 and April 3. Dramaturg Tom Shafer will lead a curtain talk after the performance with the cast, director and designers March 30. Tickets to the play can be purchased at the theater box office or through Ticketmaster. Tickets are $15 general admission and discounted at $13 for students and seniors Monday through Thursday. Student rush tickets are available 30 minutes before every performance for $10.\n-- Contact staff writer Jenica Schultz at jwschult.