The TMU Villas Players had three showings of the "Laramie Project" from October 21st- October 23rd.
The "Laramie Project" is a theatrical recreation of the story of Matthew Shepherd and his terrible murder in 1998. Matthew was a gay University of Wyoming student that lost his life due to his sexuality. The murder took place in Laramie, Wyoming. The theatrical recreation of this story- the "Laramie Project" was created to spread awareness of the tragic event.
Eylie Lorenz - Narrator, Zubaida Ula, Catherine Connolly, Zackie Salmon, Cal Rerucha
Alesha Miller - Rebecca Hiliker, Reverend Fred Phelps Foreperson
Garrett Flynn - Jon Peacock, Jim Geringer, Rob DeBree, Kerry Drake, Russell Henderson |Additonal Role: Jonas Slonaker
Michael Switzer - Greg Pierotti, Governer Jim Geringer, Email-Writer, Priest
Hannah Strange - Sherry Johnson, Tiffiny Edwards, Sherry Anderson, Trish Steger, The Judge, Andy Paris | Additional Roles: April Silva, Stephen Mead Johnson
Lizziey Fahey - Doug Laws, Barbara Pitts, Romaine Patterson, Shannon | Additional Role: Waitress
Emily Denney - Lucy Thompson, Harry Woods, Jeffery Lockwood, Matt Mickelson, Bill McKinney, Stephen Belber
Allison Bartlett - Dr. Cantway, Jen, Kristin Price, Aaron Kreifels, Reporter, Anonymous
Josie Darland - Allison Mears, Shadow, Eileen Engen, Andrew Gomez | Additional Role: Newsperson
Amber Konerman - Matt Galloway, Murdock Cooper, Marge Murray, Amanda Gronich, Dennis Shepard
Mikaela Rosenthal - Minister, Conrad Miller, Philip Dubois, Reggie Fluty | Additional Role: Newsperson
Kieran Casey - Baptist Minister’s Wife, Phil Labrie, Leigh Fondakowsi
Braxton Broering - Doc O’Conner, Moises, Sargent Hing, Gil Engen
Ian Galloway - Jedidiah Schultz, Rulon Stacy, Father Roger Schmit
The "Laramie Project" was the first indoor show for the Villa Players in two years. The three shows were a great success. "The 'Laramie Project' was a very mind-opening show, performed by the Villa Players, that provided an important lesson to the audience." - Senior Seth Sherman
The Villa Players have a lot more in store this year. The first-year show is on December 2nd.
The Wedding Story, Traces of Memory, The Salmon Tribunal, Somewhere, Nowhere, The Kingdom of the Spider, and I Can’t Think of It Right Now are included in the first-year show.
To learn more about Matthew Shepherd's story you can look at the foundation created in his memory's website.