Arena Stage Hosts Tectonic Theater Project's THE LARAMIE PROJECT RESIDENCY

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the award-winning New York theater troupe Tectonic Theater Project will join the 2010-2011 season with its national tour of The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later. Five performances will be presented in the Kreeger Theater November 19-21, 2010 and will feature many of the original cast members from The Laramie Project.

Directed by Tony and Emmy Award nominee Moisés Kaufman and Emmy Award nominee Leigh Fondakowski, The Laramie Project examines the 1998 murder of college student Matthew Shepard, the victim of a hate crime in Laramie, Wyoming. The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, depicts the town of Laramie 10 years after the original event, and premiered in October 2009 in New York City with simultaneous productions at 150 other theaters worldwide, including Arena Stage, where more than 1,000 people attended at the Lincoln Theatre. Both plays are written by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber.

"Last year, when Arena Stage presented The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later with theaters worldwide, we saw the event unite the national and global community," says Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith. "People continue to be affected by hate crimes, and this groundbreaking combination of Tectonic's original plays should not be missed."

"For me, this residency project represents the very essence of Tectonic's spirit and vision," says Tectonic Theater Project Founder and Artistic Director Moisés Kaufman. "The horrific murder of Matthew Shepard forever changed the psyche of our nation and these two plays have explored - and will continue to explore through undertakings like this residency - how that change happened and how it relates to all of our lives."

"After last October's historic simultaneous premiere of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later in New York City and 150 other theaters, we knew we needed to pair these plays and bring them to audiences in a unique and exciting manner," says Tectonic Theater Project Executive Director Greg Reiner. "Performed together and as part of the residency project, these two plays will make history and continue the proud legacy created by these groundbreaking works."

The Cast for The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later includes: Scott Barrow (Broadway's 33 Variations), Mark Berger (recent NYU Tisch School of the Arts graduate), Jeremy Bobb (Broadway's Is He Dead?), Mercedes Herrero (Off-Broadway's Journeys, original The Laramie Project), Greg Pierotti (original The Laramie Project), Amy Resnick (Off-Broadway's Death of Frank), Christina Rouner (Broadway's Coram Boy) and Kelli Simpkins (original The Laramie Project).

The Creative Team for The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later includes: Directors Moisés Kaufman and Leigh Fondakowski, Scenic Designer Robert Brill, Costume Designer Moe Schell, Lighting Designer Betsy Adams, Composer Peter Golub and Production Stage Manager Samone B. Weissman.
Tectonic Theater Project is an award-winning company whose plays have been performed around the world. The company is dedicated to developing innovative works that explore theatrical language and form, fostering an artistic dialogue with our audiences on the social, political and human issues that affect us all. Tectonic Theater Project was founded in 1991 by Moisés Kaufman and Jeffrey LaHoste. Tectonic refers to the art and science of structure and was chosen to emphasize the company's interest in construction - how things are made, and how they might be made differently. For more information go to www.tectonictheaterproject.org<http://www.tectonictheaterproject.org/>.

Performance Schedule:
Friday, November 19 at 8:00 p.m. (The Laramie Project)
Saturday, November 20 at 2:00 p.m. (The Laramie Project)
Saturday, November 20 at 8:00 p.m. (The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later)
Sunday, November 21 at 2:00 p.m. (The Laramie Project)
Sunday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. (The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later)

TICKETS: Tickets for The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later start at $35 plus applicable fees. Discount tickets are available for patrons purchasing tickets for multiple shows, students and groups. A limited number of $15 tickets for patrons ages 30 and under go on sale each Monday for performances that week. (All patrons must present valid ID.) HOTTIX, a limited number of half-price, day-of-performance tickets, are available 30 minutes before curtain prior to every performance. Tickets are now available for current Arena Stage subscription holders by calling the Arena Stage Sales Office at 202-488-3300. Tickets will be made available to everyone beginning September 22.

Sales Office/Subscriptions 202-488-3300
TTY for deaf patrons 202-484-0247
Group Sales Hotline 202-488-4380
Info for patrons with disabilities 202-488-3300

METRO: The Waterfront-SEU station (Green Line) is the closest Metro station to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. When exiting the station, walk west on M Street toward 6th Street, and the main entrance to the Mead Center is on the right.

PARKING: Discounted parking in the Mead Center garage is available by reservation to full-season subscribers for $18 per show. The entrance for the Mead Center garage is on Maine Ave. SW. Limited handicapped parking is available by reservation up to 24 hours prior to a performance. Remaining spaces $20 for non-subscribers. Patrons can also park at either of Central Parking's garages on 4th St. between I and M Streets for $10.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is a national center dedicated to the production, presentation, development and study of American theater. Arena Stage produces huge plays of all that is passionate, exuberant, profound, deep and dangerous in the American spirit, and presents diverse and ground-breaking work from some of the best artists around the country. Arena Stage is committed to commissioning and developing new plays through the American Voices New Play Institute. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 200,000. www.arenastage.org<http://www.arenastage.org/>.

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