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Manchester
spring play presents
community in wake
of hate crime
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Based on a true story,
Manchester College’s spring play explores humanity at its greatest and
at its most terrible. The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman
discusses the impact of the hate crime assault of student Matthew
Shepard on the community of Laramie, Wyoming.
Manchester College will present the drama at 7 p.m.
on three nights, May 6, 7 and 8 in Wampler Auditorium. Tickets are $6.50
for adults and $5.50 for students and senior citizens.
The plot revolves around the community of Laramie,
Wyoming and residents’ reactions to hate crime against the University of
Wyoming student. Matthew Shepard was killed in October 1998 by three
fellow students. This play does not focus on the crime, however. Rather,
the play is drawn from more than 200 interviews conducted by Kaufman
about the community’s reaction to being in the eye of a media hurricane.
It brings to light the potential for violence in even the most remote
corners of the American landscape.
“I’d like the audience to see that hate crimes or
hateful messages will have a negative impact at all levels in a
community,” said director and communications Professor Scott Strode.
“That, to paraphrase the playwright, no matter to what depths humanity
can sink, we are capable of great compassion.
I like the message, which is appropriate for Manchester College
right now.”
A discussion session will follow the performances.
Members of the cast, Campus Interfaith Board and United Sexualities will
be present to field questions or concerns.
Each cast member will perform several different
characters in the Laramie community and their experience with the media
frenzy.
Cast members are: Brad Thomson, a senior from Fort
Wayne, Ind.; Sarah Oren, a sophomore from Vandalia, Ohio; Becky
Hollenberg, a junior from Osceola, Ind.; Jon Magley, a senior from
Decatur, Ind.; Brad Vah, a sophomore from Chesterton, Ind.; Steve Grubb,
a junior from Goshen, Ind.; Erin Gropp, a first year student from
Hudson, Ind.; and Rachel McFadden, a sophomore from North Manchester,
Ind. |
