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THEMARICOPAMOD.COM / ARTS & CULTURE

Students distraught after school pulls production of 'The Laramie Project' hours before opening

The play chronicles the murder of  Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay college student in Laramie.
PUBLISHED NOV 18, 2024
The student argued that the themes of The Laramie Project mirror the students’ lived experiences.
The student argued that the themes of The Laramie Project mirror the students’ lived experiences.

Phoenix, Arizona: Controversy has erupted in a Phoenix high school. Just hours before curtain call Cesar Chavez High School administrators postponed the play 'The Laramie Project', leaving students devastated. The play, which chronicles the murder of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay college student in Laramie, Wyoming, is regarded as a landmark work addressing hate crimes and social justice.

The sudden decision came as a blow to students who had invested three months preparing for the performance. One Senior student and castmember described the atmosphere as "heartbreaking", telling ABC 15, "We worked so hard, sacrificing time and energy, and now we feel silenced."

Scene from a 2008 performance of 'The Laramie Project' depicting the candlelight vigils held for Matthew Shepard.
Scene from a 2008 performance of 'The Laramie Project' depicting the candlelight vigils held for Matthew Shepard.

The school district cited the need for "more time to prepare" and ensure the play is handled "in a way that fosters meaningful conversations and reflection". In a letter obtained by ABC 15, district officials expressed concerns about the play's sensitive themes and strong language. However students reportedly believe the decision reflects a broader discomfort among adults rather than genuine concern for the audience.

The student argued that the themes of The Laramie Project mirror the students’ lived experiences, particularly in the age of social media where hate speech and bullying are rampant. "We deal with this every day," she said. "What adults find shocking is just our reality."

Students claim the school administration was aware of the play’s content from the beginning, making the last-minute decision even more perplexing. "It felt like we were being told to sit back down and be quiet," Johnson said.

A pair of Matthew Shepard's sandals are displayed at the White House as part of the commemoration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month on June 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A pair of Matthew Shepard's sandals are displayed at the White House as part of the commemoration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month on June 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Despite the setback, students remain hopeful the district will reschedule the play. They believe the story of Shepard is too important to ignore and that the production offers a valuable opportunity for dialogue around hate crimes, LGBTQ+ rights, and acceptance.

The district has yet to announce a new date for the performance.

Who was Matthew Shepard? 

Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old college student from the University of Wyoming, was murdered in Laramie, Wyoming, in October 1998 in an act of violence that became a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

What happened to Matthew Shepard?

Shepard was openly gay. On the night of October 6, 1998, he met Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson at a local bar. The two men lured Shepard out of the bar under the pretense of giving him a ride home. Instead, they drove him to a remote area where they beat him savagely, tied him to a fence, and left him for dead in freezing temperatures. Matthew was discovered 18 hours later by a cyclist who initially mistook him for a scarecrow. He was unconscious and severely injured, suffering from a fractured skull and hypothermia. He was transported to a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he remained in a coma until his death on October 12, 1998.

Judy Shepard, mother of murder victim Matthew Shepard following the sentencing of Russell Henderson. (Photo By Kevin Moloney/Getty Images)
Judy Shepard, mother of murder victim Matthew Shepard following the sentencing of Russell Henderson. (Photo By Kevin Moloney/Getty Images)

What happened to the murderers?

Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson were arrested shortly after the attack. They were charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and robbery. Both men were convicted and received life sentences without the possibility of parole as part of plea deals that spared them the death penalty.

What was Matthew Shepard's legacy?

In 2009, the US Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded federal hate crime laws to include crimes motivated by a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. President Barack Obama signed it into law.

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