WRITTEN BY MELINA DE LA CRUZ The Laramie Project officially opened and premiered five different shows from November 30th to December 3rd 2022. With 15 cast members and 26 roles, this play was original and new for this school. It included technical sets that were creative and when brought together made a beautiful play. This play included cast members who ambitiously embodied multiple characters throughout the play. It was interesting to see how each character remained unique to others, even during instances of a cast member playing multiple characters. The play, as mentioned in my previous article, “Theater has a new look”, covers the grueling story of Matthew Shepard and how his gruesome murder affected the small town of Laramie, Wyoming. One of the most powerful moments in the play was probably when the character of Matthew Shepard's father gave a speech about love and how everyone is deserving of it no matter what type of love it was. The set consisted of large movable blocks that seemed to blend into the background, creating a set that evolved along with the story right before the audience’s eyes. In between scenes, off-stage actors would bring out the props needed for the next scene while the lights were dimmed and the sets were transitioned. This scenery added to the fast pace of the story with it constantly moving and bringing in different characters and story lines. “The production put a spotlight on adversity and harsh reality of people in the LGBTQ+ community, allowing for a truly powerful message to be sent.” said Noelle Faeth, an audience member. Along with the deep emotional connections to real life stories that were brought about through the story telling of the play, it also demonstrated a powerful message about LGBTQ+ lives and how adversaries played a true part in getting rights for future generations. This play truly honored the life and story that Matthew Shepard led, showing us that love truly has no boundaries. The characters in the play “... empower individuals to find their voice to create change and challenge communities to identify and address hate that lives within their schools, neighborhoods, and homes.” - The Matthew Shepard Foundation WRITTEN BY: MELINA DE LA CRUZ
With the departure of last year's theater teacher, VAAS’s theater program has faced a shift in leadership. Here at VAAS, we have students whose passion for acting drives them, so a new theater teacher had them curious for what was to come. That said, students have warmly welcomed Mr. Armstrong and his vision for the theater program. Zachary Buenaventura (Gr. 10) says “...with Mr. Armstrong’s vision I think that it is going to be a phenomenal play.” "The Laramie Project", the basis of this year’s play, entails the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, who was brutally attacked due to his sexuality. In the small town, a series of interviews were conducted to follow the story. “This play isn't controversial at all. It's actually loving and it's a beautiful display of the crossroads of humanity,” said Mr. Armstrong, in the midst of planning and executing this story for the VAAS stage. While talking to the students that were cast in the play, we have seen a common theme of support towards the story. “I have giant aspirations of building [the VAAS theater program] to a program that the community looks to, to send its kids that are interested in theater; to possibly expand our stages and our technology as well.” said Mr. Armstrong. There is much more to expect from the creative minds of the theater class and with much certainty, we can say that "The Laramie Project” will be one for the books here at VAAS. Inspired by the tragedy that the family and town endured, the initial purpose of the Matthew Shepard Foundation and The Laramie Project was “to teach parents with children who may be questioning their sexuality to love and accept them for who they are, and not throw them away.” -Matthew Shepard Foundation Image Below: Mr. Daniel Armstrong Captured By: Melina De La Cruz |
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