NEWS RELEASE
STRATFORD WINTER PRIDE ALLIANCE
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Honouring Two Decades of Reflection and Progress
Stratford Winter Pride is honoured to mark the 25th anniversary of The Laramie Project with two, special staged readings on Feb. 8. This production promises to be a poignant tribute to a groundbreaking work that has inspired conversations about tolerance, justice, and human dignity since its premiere
About The Laramie Project
Written by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project, The Laramie Project recounts the aftermath of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student whose tragic death in Laramie, Wyoming became an international symbol of the fight against hate crimes. The play was created from real-life interviews with Laramie residents using their actual words, creating a powerful mosaic of a community's response to a devastating event. It also calls upon Stratford residents to consider our own history and practices regarding hate crimes.
A Milestone Event
Director Ron Dodson remarks, "The 25th anniversary of The Laramie Project encourages the audience to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still must go to create a society based on equality. This staged reading will honour Matthew Shepard’s legacy and reignite conversations about equality and compassion in the Stratford and Canadian context."
The Company and Creatives
The all-star acting company features professional actors who have been seen from coast to coast, including the Stratford Festival: Marion Adler, Jacklyn Francis, Chris Blake, Peggy Coffey, Lauren Bowler, Robert King, Michael Neale, and Andrew Pogson. Music/Sound Design by Keith Thomas. Vocals by Scott Beaudin. Set Design by Stephen Degenstein and Bob Phillips. Stage Management by Nancy Stotts Jones.
Event Details
- Date: Feb. 8
- Time: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Location: James Reaney Auditorium at Stratford Intermediate School.
- Seating is limited by general admission.
Tickets
Talkback Session
A talkback session with the performers follows each performance offering the audience and performers the opportunity to discuss the themes of the play or any other relevant topic. The sessions will start five minutes after each performance.
Stratford Winter Pride
As Stratford’s annual LGBTQ+ arts and entertainment festival, Winter Pride is committed to presenting visual, spoken and written arts that bring comedy, music and powerful dramatic narratives to provoke thought and foster community engagement. Our mission is to use the transformative power of theatre to reflect on societal issues and celebrate the diversity of human experience.
In presenting The Laramie Project in this 25th anniversary staged reading, we invite you to join us for a performance that is timely and important, focused on understanding, remembrance, and hope as we celebrate a quarter-century of The Laramie Project.
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