Considering Matthew Shepard at INNOVAtheatre

Considering Matthew Shepard explores the life, death and legacy of Matthew Shepard. With the Musical Direction of Sarah Plaugher, INNOVA will be joined by a diverse ensemble of musicians to bring this work to the Sorg Opera House. A three-part fusion oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard speaks with a fresh and bold voice, incorporating a variety of musical styles seamlessly woven into a unified whole. Johnson sets a wide range of poetic and soulful texts by poets including Hildegard of Bingen, Lesla Newman, Michael Dennis Browne, and Rumi. Passages from Matt's personal journal, interviews and writings from his parents Judy and Dennis Shepard, newspaper reports, and additional texts by Johnson and Browne are poignantly appointed throughout the work.In October of 1998, Matthew Shepard, a young, gay student at the University of Wyoming in Laramie was kidnapped, severely beaten, and tied to a fence. He died five days later. Approaching the eve of the 20th anniversary, Craig Hella Johnson responded with his composition, Considering Matthew Shepard."Matt Shepard and his story have led me on an inspiring, challenging and deeply meaningful journey that I continue to this day. In composing Considering Matthew Shepard I wanted to create, within a musical framework, a space for reflection, consideration and unity around his life and legacy." Craig Hella Johnson, composer