The story of Matthew Shepard will continue its nationwide exposure this week with the University’s Swine Palace production of The Laramie Project.
Adam Miller, a theatre director, said the play has been in rehearsal since March 26. Michael Tick, the producing artistic director and chair of the theatre department, selected the play more than a year ago with the Swine Palace board of directors.
Miller said the socially relevant play, which opened last night, raises questions about hate crimes and tolerance.
Miller said because the play deals with complex issues, after every Sunday matinee there will be a discussion group.
The audience will have the opportunity to talk about religion and tolerance.
Kuniqua Stewart, a theatre senior and actor in the play, said she believes some of the cast will be present for the discussion groups because they do not mind sharing their opinions on the topic.
Another discussion group aimed at hate crime and tolerance will take place on May 2.
With the close of the play, the artists’ role in fostering tolerance in society will be discussed May 9.
The fourth discussion group, which the Office of Multicultural Affairs organized, met last night to discuss hate crimes with the Hate Crimes Project.
Leon Ingulsrud, director of the play, said he hopes the production opens a dialogue in the community. He said the play asks profound questions such as how people deal with others different from themselves.
“The differences in America — politically and socially — are severe. We don’t all have to agree, but we can explore ways to productively discuss these ideas,” said Ingulsrud.
Ingulsrud said that within the cast, there is not a uniform opinion about the issue at hand, but there is a shared sense of importance.
He said the cast has been very active in distributing fliers and promoting the play.
Stewart said the goal of the production is to show the audience that what happened to Shepard can happen anywhere.
She said although the 10-person cast is very diverse, she believes the play speaks for itself, no matter how diverse the cast.
She said every actor plays a major role and each character in the play has an individual life.
Stewart, who plays Aaron Kreisels, the man who found Shepard’s body, said before rehearsals began, the cast watched the movie and researched old news information to get a background of the story.
Inglusrud said although Moises Kaufman wrote both the play and the movie, they are very different.
Ingulsrud said the movie is more like a documentary while the play is more theatrical in nature.
Ingulsrud said while the play presents important and relevant issues, the audience will still laugh and cry.