By Bill Morgan, Staff Writer

   The Becker High School spring play, The Laramie Project — a highly  controversial and pioneering play — was held last weekend to the delight of those who attended. The Laramie Project is a play based on Matthew Shepard’s kidnapping and death in Laramie, WY. In 1998, weeks following the heinous crime, members of the New York’s Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie and conducted over 200 interviews with people of the town. Director Joe Rand’s production was patterned after Moises Kaufman’s opus, chronicling the questions and answers of the interviews contained.

   Rand’s play featured monologues and video excerpts surrounding Shepard’s death. It in no way re-created the beating and abuse Shepard faced, just the after course. After talking to several student actors leading up to the play’s opening, many of them felt the story was important to tell and bring into the light. A few students even compared Laramie with their own experiences at BHS. “The goal of this play is to promote thoughtful discussion and give audiences the opportunity to hear many different points-of-view associated with the murder of Matthew Shepard,” said Grace Jacobson, who played Catherine Connoly, Dr. Cantaway and a reporter.

   In last weekend’s shows, several of the student/actors played numerous roles. Twenty-seven students played the roles of 70 individuals including reporters, teachers, friends and men and women of faith. “Things went great,” said Rand. “The kids really took ownership of the show and their roles, as well as the content. I couldn't be prouder of the work they did and the care with which they handled this show.” Many of the guests who attended the play commented on the professionalism with which the content was handled.  “Many people expressed gratitude for tackling this content,” said Rand. “I heard, and received myself, more ‘thank you's’ than I have with any other show I've done here in six years.” 

   Rand said he saw many teachers who attended and expressed their gratitude and how impressed they were, including Asst. Principal Brian Baloun. Attendance at Friday’s show seemed sparse, with less than half the theater’s chairs occupied. But attendance improved the following two days to make the show a great success.

“We actually had pretty good attendance for a play,” said Rand. “We only average about 500 total for our spring plays.” The Laramie Project has been seen by more than 30 million people around the country. A film adaptation of the play opened the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and went on to receive four Emmy nominations including Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Directing for Moisés Kaufman. “Kids are capable of way more than I give them credit for and are often wiser than adults,” said Rand.