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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