FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. COC-06-099-SC
April 26, 2006
'The Laramie Project' Comes to College On Oct. 7, 1998, a young gay man, Matthew Shepard, was discovered bound to a fence in the hills outside Laramie, Wyoming, savagely beaten and left to die. After garnering international media attention, the case became a symbol of anti-gay violence. A year and a half later, the Tectonic Theater Project and writer Moises Kaufman visited Laramie six times, interviewed more than 200 residents and created the play "The Laramie Project." Hailed by Time Magazine as one of the "Top Ten Plays of the Year 2000," "The Laramie Project" will play at the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center on April 28-30, May 3-4, and 6-7. Director Stephen Whelan, drama teacher at Valencia High School and COC professor, went to Laramie, Wyoming to see the town and speak with people in the community. "What is so great about this play is that it places the people of Laramie in the spotlight, not with judgment, but in a very documentary-style of theatre," said COC faculty member Mark Salyer. "I would say it behooves us all to acknowledge hate crimes like the murder of Matthew Shepherd, so they may never happen again." "The Laramie Project" was also made into a television movie and has been produced in regional theatres and colleges across the country. "The Laramie Project" will also be the first student-designed show with set design by student Michelle Wall. For more information about the play or ticket purchases please visit the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center website at www.CanyonsPAC.com. | 
