LARAMIE PROJECT 'Community Conversations' Series Concludes with Discussion on Hate Crimes & Law Enforcement

In conjunction with the 20th anniversary production of The Laramie Project at the Provincetown Theater (running thru Oct 28th at 238 Bradford St. in Provincetown, MA), our free post-show series of "Community Conversations" concludes on Sunday, Oct 28st at 4:30pm, immediately following the 2pm matinee. As the series pertains to socially relevant themes which course through the veins of this modern American classic - revealing a community's response to the brutal murder of the openly gay college student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998 -- the "Community Conversations" topic on Oct 28th will focus on hate crimes and the enduring need for law enforcement in these matters.

PANELISTS:

Our roster of distinguished panelists include:

• Cynthia Deitle - Matthew Shepard Foundation Programs and Operations Director, former FBI Field Agent
• Kate Kelley - FBI Supervisory Special Agent from the Boston Division's Lakeville Resident Agency
• Bobby Anthony - Provincetown Select Person and former Chief of Police Provincetown
• Janson Wu - Executive Director GLAD Massachusetts

MODERATOR:

• Philip Matthews - Poet/Author, 2nd Year Poetry Fellow Fine Arts Work Center Provincetown

As one of the most searing questions The Laramie Project asks is, "How could this heinous act happen here?" As the play unfolds, what emerges is a lingering silent acceptance of homophobia that created an environment for such a heinous act to transpire.

In a town with a large LGBTQ population, Provincetown feels like a safe haven, but it could also become a target for violence. Indeed, a rash of anti-gay graffiti on cars and property of LGBTQ people last year in Provincetown raised some to question, "When do acts of property destruction lead to violence?"

The Laramie Project, directed by one of its creators Leigh Fondakowski, performs this Thursday thru Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 2pm till October 28, 2018 at the Provincetown Theater, 238 Bradford Street, Provincetown, MA. Tickets can be obtained online at provincetowntheater.org. For daily updates, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

The "Community Conversations" series is presented in cooperation with Provincetown International Film Festival, Fine Arts Work Center, Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival, and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. They are open to the public, free of charge.

With a history inspired by the original Provincetown Players of 1916, the Provincetown Theater is owned and managed by the Provincetown Theater Foundation (PTF). The Provincetown Theater is a 501c3 not-for-profit performing arts institution, producing year-round live entertainment on the tip of Cape Cod at the Birthplace of American Theater. Sponsorship for the 2018 season is due, in large part, to generous support from Cape Air, WOMR, 102.3 Dunes FM, Hook, Strangers & Saints, Victor's, East End Market, Scott Allegretti, DDS, the Provincetown Tourism Fund, the Schoolman Trust, the Palette Fund, and in partnership with Provincetown Magazine.

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