BWW Blog: Alyssa Sileo - Attention Theatre Teachers and Students!

As juniors & senior students from the School of Performing Arts at Gloucester County Institute of Technology and proud members of International Thespian Society Troupe 5480, we're embarking on a theatre advocacy project, and we need your help!

This December, the Junior Drama Class performed The Laramie Project written by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theatre Project. This play consists of interviews compiled after the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man. While nearly 18 years have passed since the initial hate crime, recent tragic events such as the Pulse nightclub massacre have reminded us just how relevant this story is.

Both tragedies serve as a testament to the fact that those in the LGBTQ+ community are still struggling to live safely in a nation that is supposedly progressing.

To commemorate the lives lost, our Laramie Project Project team is seeking forty-nine groups throughout the nation to conduct performances or hold readings of The Laramie Project this year. We will assign the name of a Pulse victim to each school so that we may dedicate a production in their honor.

We have about seven groups involved so far, from several states.

We understand that the theatre season is a whirlwind, we encourage you to make this what you want, anywhere from a reading in class/club to a full out production. As a theatre community, you know how important it is to band together and spread tolerance.

Please note: The incredible script of the The Laramie Project contains harsh language.

Also: It is imperative that each company that participates in this properly project purchases royalties for The Laramie Project.

Visit our blog to register and view more exciting information about the Project. https://actingout4peaceblog.wordpress.com

If you have any more questions, contact us at actingout4peace@gmail.com

We hope to hear from you soon!

Best,

The Laramie Project Project Team

Alyssa Sileo, Dylan Glick, Kelly Bagby, Kayla Bowe, Taylor Sabatini, Alexa Sabatini, Melina Madara, Cassidy Werkheiser, and Haley Watson

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