[ccpops] The Laramie Project

[Mary Jane Divino]

Dear CCPOPS members,

Marilyn Brady's article reminds us of the event scheduled for this 
weekend. Please make the time to attend this thought-provoking 
performance and support the drama students and program at CCHS. "The 
Laramie Project" has been receiving a great deal of national press 
lately, including articles in the New York Times. Visit < 
www.ccpops.org > for information and links to help you learn more.

Many thanks,
MJ

> CCHS takes on tough subject in presentation of “The Laramie Project”.
>
> The CCHS drama department once again is breaking new ground with their
> presentation of the Laramie Project December 6-8.  The Laramie Project 
> is a
> dramatic play based on the true story of Matthew Shepard, a 21 year 
> old,
> murdered in 1998 in Laramie Wyoming. The murder was a hate crime based 
> on
> the fact that Matthew was gay.  The play portrays the struggles of the
> townspeople and the nations reaction to the murder and aftermath.
>
> “We are taking on some strong and tough subject matter in this 
> production,”
> says Chuck Brown Choral and Drama Director at CCHS.  “Each scene that 
> the
> students play makes the audience ask questions and face some ugly 
> realities.
> But we know as a school that we have to ask the tough questions, 
> discuss the
> tough subjects in order to make the kids find the strength in 
> themselves to
> do the right thing”
>
> Moises Kaufman who developed the play with the Tectonic Theater 
> Project of
> New York wrote the Laramie Project.  The play has been made into a 
> movie,
> which was the featured film at the Sundance Theater Festival in 2001 
> and has
> been shown on HBO this year.  The book was also used by TIME and 
> turned into
> classroom curriculum for high school students.
>
> The cast and crew are all CCHS students ranging from freshman to 
> seniors.
> CCHS’s production is the first time a public high school has taken on 
> this
> project.  Matthew Shepard’s mother has spoken to Chuck Brown in order 
> to
> convey her sense of urgency in stamping out hate crime by educating 
> young
> people.
>
> Tickets are $10 available at Video Revolution, Concord Five & Ten, The 
> Toy Shop
> and the Cheese Shop as well as Daisy's in Carlisle.  Performances are 
> at CCHS
> December 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m and December 8 at 2:30 p.m.
>