TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT THE LARAMIE RESIDENCY

Interdisciplinary Syllabus and Resource Guide

Introduction 2 The Residency and Associated Activities 3 The Tectonic Technique 4 The Tectonic Theater Project 5 Supplementary Volumes 6–67 Introduction

The Tectonic Theater Project, under the direction of , developed and its sequel – The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later – An Epilogue – from an extensive series of interviews with the citizens of the town of Laramie, in the wake of the murder of in 1998. Tectonic is now making both plays available as the performance component of the residencies, each specifically developed to meet the individual interests and needs of participating communities. This means that universities and performing art centers around the world are now able to investi- gate the broader and deeper meaning of Tectonic’s dramatic exploration of the crime, the town, the politics, and the people as they absorb, manage, and come to terms with the reality of a horrendous crime in its midst and how they and the world react to it. Activities are specifically tailored to each Presenter’s community taking advantage of local resources to shape an exploration of the many themes inherent in the events and the stage productions. Each series of workshops, colloquies, and related events is designed in conjunction with the Pre- senter’s community. The members of The Tectonic Theatre Project, all professional actors, include those who conducted the actual interviews which led them to create the script. These artists bring a rare and matchless reality to the experience, both through their talent and their intimate knowledge of the subject. With two plays in tandem and a series of riveting events and options, Tectonic Theater now provides a deeper, more expansive, exploration of the iconic tragedy in Laramie Wyoming, seen in a larger con- text as a crisis in small-town America.

2 T SIHE RE DENCY Ascas o i ted Activities

Two Evenings of Theater The following residency themes could involve active participation by experts, professors, and/or students The two plays that make up The Laramie Residency in advanced technology, modern communications, are a powerful theatrical double-bill presentation. contemporary behaviorism, the arts, literature, etc. They now complete an epic investigation of a small town confronting its fears, its crimes, its biases, it behavior, its obfuscations, and its regrets as re- Themes and Related Subjects vealed by the iconic tragedy surrounding the death A wide range of options for academic and commu- of Matthew Shepherd a decade ago. nity wide exploration might include such topics as... • Crime: From Fact to Folklore A Community of Participants • The Political Impact of Murder on the Citizenry In shaping the residency with members of the • The Community as an Impetus to National Change community, Tectonic encourages the cooperative involvement of students, faculty, and community • The Long-term Effects of Hate in Society resources, people from a wide range of associated • How does a Community cope with Tragedy in departments and organizations in fields such as its Midst behavioral science, religious studies, journalism, • The Societal Danger of Forgetting theater, psychology, civics, criminology, law • The Criminal Impulse and The Community Identity and government. • Bringing Small Town America onto the International Stage • Contemporary Issues and Greek Tragedy • The Possibilities of Theater in our New Webcasting Techno-age • Theater and Contemporary Myth • The Stage and The Community

Supplementary Material Enclosed is a four part Resource Guide with excerpts, commentary by the writer/performers, discussion points, books, websites and video resources. • Part 1: Background and Introduction • Part 2: Issues and Themes • Part 3: Viewing and Analyzing • Part 4: Lessons from Laramie

3 Thee T ctonic Technique

Tectonic Theater Project, under the direction of seminars employing the company’s unique method Moisés Kaufman, creates theater work which de- of “Moment Work”, giving artists at the educational pends upon the process named by them, “Moment and professional level the practical tools they need Work”, a creative technique singular to Tectonic to integrate this new theatrical vocabulary into the Theater Project. creation of original work. By the same token, these methods can be applied to preexisting texts (from Over the past fifteen years, Moisés Kaufman and Shakespeare to Shepard) to achieve works of unique Tectonic Theater Project have developed and refined theatrical power. a wholly unique methodology, creating some of the most theatrically thrilling and currently important Beyond their mission of sharing theater perfor- American theater of the past decade. Following the mance with audiences, Tectonic Theater Project, world-wide success of The Laramie Project, and with shares their dramaturgical creative process in a growing interest in Tectonic and its unique approach week-long residency that offers deeply engaged to making theater, The Tectonic Teaching Arm was work with the company for community members officially launched in 2005. and culminates with live performance by the com- pany of two of their signature works, The Laramie At the core of the Tectonic teaching method is Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later – “Moment Work”, a technique developed by Moisés An Epilogue. Kaufman for creating and analyzing theater. Thus students of theatre can participate in the Using laboratory setting, the technique encourages creative process directly guided by the experienced the participants to create work that is uniquely members of the company and see the ultimate theatrical. It pushes writers, actors, designers and fruit of drama guided by the core techniques of directors to collaborate in the making of work that “Moment Work.” focuses on using all theatrical elements. The tech- nique breaks apart the traditional roles of theater The following syllabus provides presenters with artists, enfranchising artists of all disciplines to some representative opportunities for building a move out of their defined roles and become theater- meaningful experience in their community based makers: true investigators of the possibilities of upon the application of “Moment Work” in a the medium. multi-disciplinary residency and performances of two of the most important American plays of the Tectonic is committed to expanding the conversa- last decade. tion about how work gets made in this country to resident theaters, Broadway and off-Broadway stag- For presenters who participated in the landmark es, and educational institutions – focusing on the world premiere of the “Laramie Project Epilogue … importance of theatrical exploration in the creation Ten Years Later”, this residency offers the opportu- of new work, especially in the early stages of new nity to deepen heir relationship with the company. play development. For new presenters, “The Laramie Residency” offers a deeply textured engagement that can be As part of residencies, Artistic Director Moisés shaped to suit the areas of interest and academic Kaufman and members of Tectonic provide com- orientation of their institution, while also presenting munities nationwide workshops, lectures and dramatic work of the highest caliber.

4 T ECtonIC THEATER PROJECT

This is an award-winning company whose plays to interview people in the town torn apart by the have been performed around the world. The com- crime. The play forged from these interviews was pany is dedicated to developing innovative works created collaboratively by the members of the com- that explore theatrical language and form, fostering pany over a long workshop process in which partici- an artistic dialogue with our audiences on the social, pants were encouraged to operate outside their area political and human issues that effect us all. In of specialization. Thus, actors and designers became service to this goal, Tectonic supports readings, writers and dramaturges, directors became design- workshops, and full theatrical productions, as well ers and actors, and the company uncovered a new as training for students around the country in our way of creating a theatrical event. play-making techniques. 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 construc- tion-- how things are made, and how they might be made differently. As with The Laramie Project, its groundbreaking plays – Gross Indecency: The Three Trials Of Os- car Wilde, and I Am My Own Wife – have sparked national discourse about their subjects and have inspired artists and audiences worldwide. In the early years of Tectonic, the company staged works Tectonic continues to employ these techniques in by writers who were testing the boundaries of creating some of the most unique and innovative the theatrical form: Samuel Beckett, Franz Xaver works on the American stage. The latest Tectonic Kroetz, Sophie Treadwell and Naomi Iizuka. But in production – Thirty-Three Variations, an exploration time, however, Kaufman realized that in order to be of obsession in music and life, was seen last season rigorous about exploring theatrical form, the com- on Broadway with Jane Fonda. pany had to deal with the issue of text. Thus, he set about writing his first play, Gross Indecency, based on transcripts, biographies, letters and other found materials about the life and work of Oscar Wilde. Tectonic followed Gross Indecency with another bold experiment in form: The Laramie Project. One month after the murder of University of Wyo- ming student Matthew Shepard, Kaufman and ten company members traveled to Laramie, Wyoming

5 TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT THE LARAMIE RESIDENCY Interdisciplinary Syllabus and Resource Guide

Spplementaryu Vo lumes

The Laramie Project Volume 1 – The Teachers 7 NOTE: Page numbers shown here reflect the complete Everybody Carried a Piece of the Truth PDF document and do not necessarily correspond to the Why The Laramie Project? • Create Your Own Project pagination within individual sectons. Further Explorations

Volume 2 – The Students 11 Laramie, WY – Mirror of a Nation • Hope, Heart, and Hate From Life to TV • Winning A Community’s Trust Roots of Intolerance • A Notebook

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later Part 1: Prepare To See 19 Overview • Guidelines for Discussion Facts and Rumors • The Meaning of Matthew The Script • When Events Become Lightning Rods Dealing with Controversy • The Road to Laramie

Part 2: Issues and Themes 28 Outdoor Town with an Outlaw Past • Measuring Change One Visitor’s Impressions • Expanding Laws Against Hate Map of Hate Crimes • The Laramie Project: A Chronology Congress Resolution HR 777 • Further Exploration

Part 3: Viewing and Analyzing 44 Examining Moments • Writing a Review Voices of the Community • Script: Excerpts and Activities The Big Picture

Part 4: Lessons 55 Illuminating a Complex Story • From Hate to Hope The Process of Change • Examining the Interviews Standing Up to • Digging Deeper Signposts of Change

6 TEACHER’S GUIDE TO ACCOMPANY HBO’S THE LARAMIE PROJECT DEVELOPED BY TIME SCHOOL PUBLISHING EV E R YBODY CARRIES A PIECE OF THE TRUTH

“I think right now our most important teachers must be Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney [the men convicted • Why teach The Laramie Proj e c t ? of murdering Matthew Shepard]. They have to be our teachers. • Cr eate Your Own Project To Combat How did they learn? What did we as a society do to teach them?” Pr ejudice in Your Community —FATHER ROGER SCHMIT, CATHOLIC PRIEST IN LARAMIE, WYOMING, • Re s o u r ces for Further Exploration QUOTED IN THE LARAMIE PROJECT he 1998 murder of Mat t h e w Examples of guidelines include a commit- VIEWING STRATEGY S h e p a rd, a 21-y e a r-old gay ment to confidentiality and to respect others, The Laramie Project’s running time is 97 student at the Un i v e r s i ty of a ban on the use of slurs, and an agree m e n t minutes. Teachers have permission to tape Wyoming, focused national that only one person will speak at a time. the broadcast for classroom viewing, in ac- attention on hate crimes, cordance with the guidelines below. bigotry and . One • When discussing sexual-orientation issues, month after Shepard’ s killing, it is imperative that teachers and students BEFORE VIEWING playwright Moisés Kau f m a n resist the urge to place gay and youth, Once you have established a clear set of and members of his theater those who are perceived to be gay , or those g round rules, you might introduce T h e c o m p a ny decided to travel to Lar amie to with gay friends or family members in the Lar amie Proj e c t by distributing the in T I M E Tdocument the town’s reactions to Shepard’ s spotlight. Students will enter into the con- ma g azine produced to accompany the film. death. After conducting more than 200 versation as they feel comfortable. Di r ect the class to page 2 and have them interviews, the writers assembled T h e read about the killing of Matthew Shepard Lar amie Proj e c t , a unique play—and now a • It is the moderat o r ’s role to establish as an d reactions to it. Ask students to answer the f i l m—c reated from verbatim excerpts of comfortable a setting as possible. Special poll questions posed on page 2: Could an co n versations with the residents of Lara m i e . ca r e must be taken to ensure that those hold- attack like the one on Shepard occur in your At its core, The La ramie Pro j e c t ing a minority view are not vilified by stu- town? Continue by exploring the process of centers on a stark fact: Matthew Shepard dents “on the other side.” The moderat o r cr eating the play (pages 4 and 5) and histor- was hated—and killed—because of who he should also pose questions to the class to ical precedents for bias crimes (pages 6 and was. In an era of increasing divisiveness, help keep the conversation on track. 7). Then turn to the Notebook section on viewing this film can inspire students to page 8, and invite students to react to the reflect on a myriad of vital and timely • The point of a classroom discussion of quotations in the Verbatim column. Each of issues. These include the nature of toler- di v e r s i t y issues—including sexual orienta- these statements can be used to spark a ance, acceptance and pluralism; the mean- ti o n —is not to reach a class consensus, as meaningful discussion. How , for example, ing of community; and the struggle to over- tempting as that may be. Rather, the goal is do students react to Zackie Salmon’s point come hate, bigotry and violence. to establish a forum for a free and res p e c t f u l that she would not feel comfortable showing exchange of ideas. affection in public for her same-sex partner? APPROACHING THE MATE R I A L As a class, define pertinent terms: The Lar amie Proj e c t contains fran k What is homophobia? Xenophobia? language and ref e r ences to sexual Bi g o t r y ? Tol e ra n c e ? Acceptance? Ask stu- themes. While the film may elicit dents to watch for examples of these st r ong reactions from students, it is behaviors when they view the film. possible to moderate a class d i scussion on this topic wh i l e WHILE VIEWING maintaining an academic focus. As students watch the pro g ram, The following guidelines, devel- en c o u r age them to take notes in answer oped by the editors of Teaching to the following questions: Which char- Tolerance, can help ensure that acters and statements moved you most? discussion remains constructive: Why? What facial expressions, scenery or other images elicited the stro n g e s t • Class members should agree on reactions? At what points were you sur- a set of ground rules that will steer THE LARAMIE PROJECT ON HBO prised? Angry? Sad? Keep a log of emo- the discussion. Ask for student input Pre m i e r es Saturda y , tional responses as you watch the film. on what those principles should be. Ma r ch 16, 2002, at 8 PM / 7 C (continued on page 2)

HBO consents on a quitclaim basis to your making one videotape of The Laramie Projectfor five years from airdate for educational purposes within the curriculum only. HBO reserves all rights of every kind. Both the teacher’s guide and any videotape made of the film are intended for the sole use of educators, administrators and their students and may not be rebroadcast, recablecast or repackaged, nor may they be sublicensed, distributed, given or sold in whole or in part to any other person or institution. Your use of the teacher’s guide and this film constitutes your agreement to comply with these terms. 1 (continued from page 1) Unlikely Teachers Revenge and Forgiveness Father Roger Schmit calls Shepard ’s After a jury found Aaron McKinney guilty AFTER VIEWING killers “our most important teachers.” of murd e r, what statement did Dennis The La ramie Pro j e c t film can spark class What is your reaction to this statement? Sh e p a r d, Mat t h e w ’s father, make rega rd i n g discussion and critical thinking on a broa d What can McKinney and He n d e r s o n the death penalty? Imagine that you had array of topics. Areas to explore include: teach America? If you had a chance to been in Dennis Shepard’ s position. Wou l d interview McKinney or Henderson, wh a t you have made the same choice he did? Portrait of Laramie questions would you ask them? Ask students: What impressions of Lara m i e , Standing Up To Hatred Wyoming, do you take away from the film? Presence and Absence How did people in La ramie stand up to What statements and images caused you Moisés Kaufman made a conscious deci- h a t red, intolerance and violence? Which to form these impressions? How did sion not to include Matthew Shepard as a Lar amie residents struck you as most toler- La ramie residents respond to Ma t t h e w ch a r acter in The Lar amie Proj e c t . Why do an t ? Most accepting? What distinction do Sh e p a rd ’ s killing? In what ways is Lara m i e you think he made this choice? What impact you see between tolerance and acceptance? a “mirror of the nation”? How is Laramie does Shepard’ s absence have on viewers? How do you think we should measure the similar to and different from your town? How do you think the film would change if effectiveness of campaigns against bigotry? What changes occurred in the town over Sh e p a r d were featured as a charac t e r ? the course of the film? Getting Involved The Power of Voices Ask students: What concrete steps can you Lynchings Past and Present In watching the film, how does the proc e s s ta k e —in your school, in your town, in your Ti m e’s writer describes the killing of th r ough which it was made influence your state and on a national level—to help prev e n t Matthew Shepard as a lynching. What does experience of it? What is the value of hear- an t i -gay violence and other forms of prej u - this mean? How does Shepard’ s killing com- ing the actual words of Lar amie res i d e n t s ? dice and bigotry? (For a worksheet designed pa r e to the crimes described on pages 6 and What is the impact of having actors portray to encourage students to take action in their 7 of the inTIME magaz i n e ? these people? own communities, see page 3 of this guide.)

WHY TEACH THE LARAMIE PROJECT?

inTIME asked ReLeah Lent, a veteran educator and member of TIME Cl a s s ro o m ’s National Advisory Board, how and why she would use The Lar amie Project film and print materials in her classroom. An English teacher at Bay High School in Panama Ci t y, Florida, and a staff member of the Florida Literacy Reading and Excellence Project, Lent is co-author of At the Schoolhouse Gate: Lessons in Intellectual Free d o m (Heinemann, 2002).

One of our greatest challenges as high school teachers is to c reate thoughtful, independent learners who internalize cl a s s r oom lessons so that they become rel e v ant to the learners’ own res p o n s i b i l i t y as teachers widened from our subject curriculum to world. The Laramie Project may well become one of those expe- encompass the needs of young people compelled to discuss, ques- riences that will remain with students for a lifetime. In an era tion and shape their own understanding of how teens could kill their when students have seen it all—either in reality or “The Laramie Project peers. Once again, with the Lara m i e materials, we are vi c a r i o u s l y—this material will, I believe, touch them asked to go beyond our roles as traditional teachers in places that they haven’t yet been touched. The has the potential to into a place that is not alwa y s comfortable. film and accompanying print materials have the inspire students to Topics such as , religious doctrine potential to inspire students to ponder, explore, ponder, explore, and civil rights have no “fill-in-the blank” answers. listen, empathize, stretch and respond. listen, empathize, Ab s t r act concepts such as revenge, forgiveness, hate, This type of powerful teaching tool, inherently stretch and respond.” to l e r ance and truth are even more difficult to squeeze re l e vant, may well elicit passionate responses. into a curriculum box. But to grapple with these issues Students may even come to view their most basic val u e s — val u e s in a safe, academic setting is necessary as we examine what ma k e s that have been a part of their families and communities for us all human. Yes, students may express strong opinions, their generations—in a new light. em o tions may run high, and they may even find the discussion and When the Columbine trag e d y unfolded, students nationwi d e materials disturbing—but this is a small price to pay for leading us we r e forced to deal with a prev i o u s l y inconceivable rea l i t y. Our all in the direction of a more tolerant future. 2 Copyright ©2002 Time Inc. This page may be photocopied for use with students. CREATE YOUR OWN LARAMIE PROJECT

ate, and division 4. Within your group, list steps for the activity and decide who can only be conquered by will work on each step. ci t i z e n -activists willing to ______stand up and speak out. In every community—and at ______every school—t h e re are countless ways to get ______inv o l ved, to spark dialogue and to build bridges. 5. Conduct the activity. Then relate your experiences to the Working in small class. Discuss: How did the community benefit from your groups or as a class, follow pr oject? How do you feel about the work you did or the servi c e the steps below toH create a Laramie Project of your own. Note you perfo rm e d ? What did you learn from this experience? that the suggested projects at right are only starting points. The best ideas are those that work for you and your community. 6. Sh a r e your results with students around the country. Let us know what your class did, and we’ll feature selected projects on PLANNING YOUR PROJECT ti m e c l a s s ro o m . c o m . Send project summaries to Bennett Singer, 1. In small groups or as a class, identify issues or problems at inTIME, 1271 6th Avenue—Room 2550B, New York, NY 10020. your school or in your community that you would like to see changed, addressed or improved. These might relate to ending an unfair situation; to reducing prejudice; to promoting under- STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROMOTE standing of diffe r ence; or to preventing hate crimes. List the UN D E R S T ANDING AND IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNITY issues here: GET INVOLVED in a building or cleanup project to benefit your community. Paint over graffiti, clean up trash or design a ______mural. If a project isn’t already under way, launch your own. ______Identify issues that reach across divisions, and forge alliances for tackling them. ______START a monthly “diversity roundtable” to discuss critical ______issues facing your community. ESTABLISH a box in a public place where people can deposit questions they have about race, ethnicity, , 2. Fr om the above list, select the one issue that you consider gender or religion. Find answers and post them on a bulletin most pressing and circle it. Then brainstorm a variety of board near the box. pr ojects you could undertake to address this issue. To get st a r ted, review the suggestions at right. What steps could you SPONSOR a community dinner, where people bring a dish take to tackle your issue? Name three . typical of their ethnic background. a. )______ORGANIZE a community-wide yard sale and use the proceeds to improve a park or community center. b.)______VO L U N T E E R at a local social-service organization or at an orga- c.)______nization whose mission is to counter hate and promote diversity.

3. With classmates, discuss the pros and cons of each L O B B Y your state re p resentative, Congressperson and/or option outlined above and select one activity that you will Senator to support any hate-crime prevention bills that they can undertake. Form a group of students who want to address the vote on. Mount a petition drive to build support for and aware- same issue. Group members include: ness of pending legislation. INTERVIEW residents of your community about an issue that ______has caused controversy or debate. Transcribe the interviews ______and create a script modeled on The Laramie Project. Hold a staged reading for classmates and community members. ______SOURCES: TOLERANCE.ORG, HEALING THE HATE Copyright ©2002 Time Inc. This page may be photocopied for use with students. 3 Rabbit in the Moo n by Emiko Omori (1999, 56 min.). A personal examination of the FORFOR FURFURTTH H E E R R internment of Japanese Americans in Wor l d War II by a filmmaker who was sent to the EEX X P P L L O O R R AT AT I I O O N N camps as a small child. Distributor: Tran s i t Media, 1 (800) 343-5540. The Shadow of Hate: A History of In t o l e r - ance in America (Mo n t g o m e r y , Alabama: The Times of Harvey Milk by Rob Epstein BOOKS Teaching Tol e r ance, 1995). Stories of Amer- and Richard Schmiechen (1984, 87 min.). Allen, James, editor. Without Sanctuary: icans who were hated. Includes 40-mi n u t e An Academy Aw a rd-winning portrait of Lynching Photography in America (S a n t a video, 128-page text and teacher’s guide. Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected Fe: Twin Palms Publishers, 2000). An illus- See preceding entry for ordering proc e d u re . official in America, who was assassinated tr ated account of the atrocities of lyn c h i n g . in 1978. Distributor: Telling Picture s , FILMS AND VIDEOS www.tellingpictures.com. Gibson, Scott, editor. Blood & Tea r s: Poe m s Ethnic Notions by Marlon Riggs (1987, 56 for Mat thew Shepard (N ew York: Pai n t e d min.). This Emmy-winning documentary WEBSITES Leaf Press, 1999). Seventy-five poets honor takes viewers on a disturbing voya g e ww w. m a t t h e w s h e p a rd . o r g the memory of Matthew Shepard. th r ough American history, tracing the deep- A memorial to Matthew Shepard, with links rooted stere o types that have fueled anti- to anti-bias groups and suggestions for Kaufman, Mo i sés. The La ramie Pro j e c t black prejudice. Distributor: California further reading. (N ew York: Vintage Books, 2001). The script Newsreel; www.newsreel.org. of the acclaimed play. ww w. g l s e n . o r g Licensed to Kil l by Arthur Dong (1997, 77 Materials for teachers and students fro m VIDEO-AND-TEXT KITS min.). Profiles men whose hate for homosex- the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education A Place at the Table: Struggles for Equality in uals led them to commit murde r . Distributor: Net w o r k . Am e r i c a (Mo n t g o m e r y , Alabama: Tea c h i n g De e p F ocus Productions, (323) 662-65 7 5 . Tol e r ance, 2000). Stories of unsung heroe s ww w. t o l e r a n c e . o r g who have fought against and The Fight in the Fields: César Chávez and Readings and activities to combat hate and in t o l e r ance throughout U.S. history. Inc l u d e s the Far m w o r ker s' Struggle by Rick Tej a d a - pr omote toleran c e . a 40-minute video, 144-page text and les- Fl o r es and Ray Telles (1997, 120 min.). The son plans. One free copy available per school; story of Chávez, about migrant workers’ ww w. p a rt n e r s a g a i n s t h a t e . o r g to orde r , fax written request on letterhead struggle for equality in America. Distributor: Extensive information on hate crimes. fr om department chair to (334) 264-73 1 0 . Cinema Guild, www.cinemaguild.com. ww w. a d l . o r g STARTING POINTS FOR WRITING, RESEARCH AND REFLECTION Tools to fight bigotry from the Anti-De f a m a - tion League. The power of images. Select an ethnic, racial or sexual minority and 1. ww w. h b o . c o m / h a t e investigate how that group has been portrayed in movies and other forms of popular culture. You might choose historical examples, such as how Native An exploration of Internet hate, with person- Americans are depicted in Westerns or in The Lone Ranger; or you could focus al stories and ideas for promoting toleran c e . on more recent examples, such as the way that and are ww w. t i m e c l a s s ro o m . c o m / l a r a m i e portrayed on American television. How do the media and popular culture shape our notions of identity and reinforce or challenge stereotypes? Re s o u r ces to fight bias and foster citizenship.

2. Responses to hate crimes. Investigate the 1998 murder of James Byrd in Jasper, Texas, the 1993 killing of Brandon Teena in Nebraska, or a hate crime that occurred in your own state. What do these crimes have in common with the murder of Matthew Shepard? How did each TEXAS HATE CRIME: Blood stains and dried flowers community respond? marked the spot where the body of James Byrd was found after being dragged to death on a Texas roa d . 3. Global connections. Ha t r ed has been an enduring characteristic of human history, particularly in the 20th century. Investigate one of the genocides that occurred in the last 100 years, linking these global events to themes in The Laramie Proj e c t . Possible topics: the Armenian genocide; the Holocaust; the bloodshed after Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947-48; ethnic cleansing in the Balkan wars; tribal and ethnic strife in Afghanistan today.

Copyright © 2002 Time Inc. inT IME is a trademark of Time Inc. Published in association with HBO. Printed in the U.S.A. Band of Brothers artwork © Home Box Office, a Division of 4 Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. All rights reserved. HBO® is a service mark of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.

Audience guide • part 1: Preparing To See the Epilogue

THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER AN EPILOGUE o t o h p : m i t

t u n s e h c

Inside This Guide Overview of the Epilogue . . .3 . Previewing the Script . . . . 6.

Guidelines for Discussion . . .4 . When Events Become Lightning Rods ...... 7. Facts and Rumors: Activating Pre-Existing Knowledge . . . 5. Dealing with Controversy . . .8 .

The Meaning of Matthew . . .5 . The Road to Laramie: 10 Activities . 9. Introduction to this guide f r i e d m a n k e n

On October 12, 2009, audiences in Between now and October 12, this It’s a fallacy to try to define Web guide will be updated and more than 130 cities in the United expanded weekly to include: “Laramie the way one would describe States and abroad will attend the • Background on the town of an individual. There are 27,000 Laramie and on The Laramie premiere of The Laramie Project: Project people in Laramie. There are at • Brief history of Tectonic Ten Years Later — An Epilogue . Theater Project and description least 27,000 Laramies. of its unique process of creating This publication is designed to innovative, cutting-edge theater —m o i s é s k a u f m a n”, c r e at o r o f using interviews and other t h e l a r a m i e p r o j e c t enhance audience members’ documentary elements • Information essential to experience at the theater; offer understanding the Epilogue, including: background and context; and guide • Timeline • Synopses students, teachers, parents and • Character identification • Analysis of theatrical other community members as they elements • Discussion questions and engage in discussion of—and activities linked to key themes and concepts in the Epilogue, reflection on—this groundbreaking to be conducted before and after audiences attend the piece of theater . October 12 performance • Primary-source document analysis with links to the sources • Resources, reviews and reactions

2 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue The Epilogue: Overview tesy s e rt u o c

w e h t t a m

ard r pa e h s

tion o i at d n u o f

In October 1998, on the Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg I don’t know what the hell outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming, Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen a 21-year-old gay college student Belber returned to Laramie to “[Matthew] was trying to do, but named Matthew Shepard was interview the same people. These savagely beaten, tied to a fence interviews focus on how Laramie I beat him up pretty bad. Think I and left to die in the frigid night. has changed: politically, socially, Characterized as a hate crime, religiously and educationally. Using killed him. the murder became a watershed “Moment Work,” Tectonic’s unique historical moment in civil rights approach to developing plays, the ”—a a r o n mck i n n e y , in a in America. In the aftermath of new interviews have been crafted into t a p e -r e c o r d e d c o n f e s s i o n t o Shepard’s death, Moisés Kaufman an Epilogue to The Laramie Project. t h e a l b a n y c o u n t y , w y o m i n g , s h e r i f f ’s d e pa r t m e n t and members of Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie; On October 12, 2009—the 11th over the course of 18 months, they anniversary of Shepard’s death— conducted more than 200 interviews The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later with residents of the town. Using will premiere simultaneously in New interview transcripts, court York, Laramie and more than 130 documents and media reportage as cities across America and around source material, they created the world. The New York production The Laramie Project, a play that will be performed by the original cast chronicles how the community members of the play and film, while grappled with the slaying. The play other participants include professional won numerous awards and is one regional theaters, community groups, of the most-performed pieces of high schools and universities. To theater in America today. It was assist artists in performing the play, made into a film for HBO and has Tectonic company members will travel been seen by more than 30 million the country prior to the October 12 people across the country. premiere and conduct workshops with partners as they set up their Ten years later, in the fall of productions. For a list of performance 2008, company members Moisés sites, visit www.laramieproject.org.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 3 In conjunction with the premiere, an interactive community has been Guidelines for launched at www.laramieproject.org Discussion where participants can blog, upload video and photos, and share The following guidelines, developed their experiences in preparing and by the editors of Teaching Tolerance, presenting the Epilogue in their can help ensure that discussion communities. The members of of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Tectonic Theater Project will be Later remains constructive: active participants in the online • Participants should agree on a community, offering participants set of ground rules that will steer feedback and encouragement as the the discussion. Ask for input on project develops. what these principles should be. Examples include a commitment Tectonic Theater Project to confidentiality and to respect h b o and its Mission others, a ban on the use of slurs, Since its founding in 1991, and an agreement that only one One of the things that was Tectonic Theater Project has used person will speak at a time. theater to instigate national debate • When discussing issues related to “very clear from the start is the with productions including The sexual orientation, it is imperative Laramie Project. Tectonic focuses that participants and moderators question of how does one measure on watershed historical moments— resist the urge to place lesbian, times when the ideas, beliefs and gay, bisexual or youth, change. Is it in the number of ideologies that are the pillars those who are perceived to be of a certain culture at a certain LGBT, or those with LGBT friends public monuments that have been time— surface around a specific or family members in the spotlight. event. “When this happens,” says Participants will enter into the con- erected? Is it in the number of laws Tectonic’s Artistic Director Moisés versation as they feel comfortable. Kaufman, “the event itself operates • It is the moderator’s role to that have been passed? Is it in the as a lightning rod that allows us establish as comfortable a set- to see clearly, for a brief time, ting as possible and to establish number of people whose views have what ideas that society is made of. a forum for a free and respectful The issues in the Epilogue are just exchange of ideas. Special care been changed? as relevant now as they were in must be taken to ensure that those 1998. These last 10 years have not holding a minority view are not —m o i s é s k” a u f m a n , c r e at o r o f been the best 10 years for social vilified by those on “the other t h e l a r a m i e p r o j e c t change—not only for the gay and side.” The moderator should also lesbian community, but also for any pose questions to help keep the issue of social justice. As an artist, conversation on track. I feel like the question is: ‘What • For an activity and handout on can theater do now in America? how to discuss controversial How can we play a role in the issues—focusing on the pervasive national dialogue?’ ” putdown “You’re so gay!—visit www.tolerance.org/activity/ controversial-issues.

4 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue FACTS AND RUMORS: Understanding the events that led to a brutal killing—and assessing its legacy

It’s not that I think Matt A good first step in preparing to see The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later was“ meant to be murdered or that is to brainstorm with the group about prior knowledge and pre- Henderson and McKinney were conceptions about the murder of Matthew Shepard. driven by anything other than their Brainstorm and list own hatred when they killed my answers to the following questions: son. That’s certainly not the case. 1. What do you know about Matthew Shepard and the It’s just that, after things went so events surrounding his death in Laramie, Wyoming, in horribly off track that night—in October 1998? How did you learn this information? that typical local bar in that typical Name your sources. 2. Have you seen The Laramie For Discussion American town—it seemed to all Project in play or film form? 1. What facts about Matthew What do you remember most? Shepard’s murder are reported of us that somebody, something, or Make a distinction in the discus- in this article? What controver- sion between facts and specula- sies have arisen over the facts of some power stepped in to, as much tion or rumor, and between the case? primary and secondary sources. 2. What do those who claim as possible, set things right. What have you learned about the Shepard’s murder was not a hate case since? crime believe happened? What —j u d y s h” e pa r d , 3. What is a hate crime? List recent evidence exists to the contrary? m a t t h e w s h e pa r d ’s m o t h e r , and historical examples. 3. How have and Dave in h e r n e w b o o k , t h e m e a n i n g o f m a t t h e w O’Malley been transformed by the LAWS AGAINST HATE: death of Matthew Shepard? How The Meaning of Matthew are they attempting to turn the Read “11 Years After Shepard’s tragedy into positive action? Death, Mom Pushes for Hate- 4. According to the article, what is Crime Law,” USA Today’s recent the Matthew Shepard Act? What article about Matthew Shepard’s impact would this new law have on mother Judy and her new book, The the prosecution of hate crimes? Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s 5. What is the history of this Murder in Laramie and a World legislation? On what basis have Transformed. (The article is online opponents objected to it? at www.usatoday.com/news/nation/ 6. Where does the Obama 2009-09-07-shepard_N.htm.) Then Administration stand on federal discuss the following questions: hate-crime legislation?

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 5 Previewing the Script: “That’s what we’re famous for”

After reading and discussing the USA Today article presented on page 5 of this guide, consider this excerpt from the script of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later.

Excerpted Moment: Two Guys at the Strip Mall

NARRATOR: Company member Greg Pierotti. e t t e n a n

Romaine Patterson at the fence where n i t r a m GREG PIEROTTI: One of the first things we did when we got to Matthew Shepard was left to die Laramie this time was walk around the town conducting informal interviews. Talking to two guys at the strip mall on Third, I ask: For Discussion What do you remember about the Matt Shepard story? 1. What and where is the fence? What makes it significant? GUY 1: I’ve only been here four months. The only thing I know about it 2. Who is Greg Pierotti and why is I remember it from the news when it happened. He took me out where is he surprised that the fence is it happened. gone? What is the explanation for its disappearance? GUY 2: Yeah, I just brought him out to the area there, out by Walmart. 3. Discuss what Guy 2 means when he says, “That’s what we’re GREG PIEROTTI: You showed him the fence? famous for.” Is this how Laramie will always be known? To what GUY 2: Well, you know, just to that area out there. They took the extent should the town be fence down. allowed to forget and move on? 4. What is the difference between GREG PIEROTTI: They took it down? fame and notoriety? What does it mean that the fence is gone and yet GUY 2: Oh yeah. people still visit the site? Should there be a memorial at the site or GREG PIEROTTI: Really? The fence ... where Matt Shepard was killed? elsewhere in Laramie, given that the land where the fence stood is GUY 2: Definitely. It’s gone. For a while now. privately owned? 5. What kind of memorial would you GREG PIEROTTI: Why did they take it down? propose to honor the memory of Matthew Shepard? What would GUY 2: The owners didn’t want people coming on their property. People it look like? Consider modern still do, though, even though it’s gone. They got “no trespassing” signs memorials and controversies over all over the place out there. them: the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, Ground Zero, GREG PIEROTTI: So, why’d you bring him out there then? Columbine, the FDR Memorial and others—including those in GUY 2: Because that’s what we’re famous for. your community.

6 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue n e k

n a m d e i r f

My friend Matthew created When Events Become Lightning Rods “more change in his death than he In this excerpt from the introduction to The Laramie Project, playwright may have ever achieved in his life. Moisés Kaufman explains where the idea for this play came from:

He was one man. One man that There are moments in history when a particular event brings the various ideologies and beliefs prevailing in a culture into sharp focus. At these knew he could change the world. junctures, the event becomes a lighting rod of sorts, attracting and distilling the essence of these philosophies and convictions. By paying careful attention He serves as a reminder to all of in moments like this to people’s words, one is able to hear the way these prevailing ideas affect not only individual lives but also the culture at large… us that as one person we too can The brutal murder of Matthew Shepard was an event of this kind. In create a change in our community its immediate aftermath, the nation launched into a dialogue that brought to the surface how we think and talk about homosexuality, and schools. sexual politics, education, class, violence, privileges and rights, and the difference between tolerance and acceptance. ”—r o m a i n e pat t e r s o n , m a t t h e w s h e pa r d ’s b e s t f r i e n d The idea for The Laramie Project originated in my desire to learn more about why Matthew Shepard was murdered; about what happened that night; about the town of Laramie. The idea of listening to the citizens talk really interested me. How is Laramie different from the rest of the country and how is it similar?

For Discussion As you learn more about Laramie, consider these questions: • How is Laramie similar to and different from your own community? • Could a hate crime happen in your community—or has your community experienced hate crimes?

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 7 l l i b

s m a i l l i w

Dealing with ed, she held a 20-minute ceremony in Shepard’s death has changed. Controversy a nearby park in which students wrote What factual evidence is pre- While The Laramie Project is their thoughts and rolled them into he- sented in the Epilogue regarding presented in theaters and schools lium balloons, then released them . Shepard’s killing? nationwide for its artistic and The next day, Taylor says, 4. Choose a “lightning-rod issue” academic value, the play often Superintendent Ed Turlington canceled that has divided your class, school attracts controversy that takes the class . After she complained to a or community. What are the on a life of its own. An article school board member, Turlington put facts? According to whom? Write in USA Today—published on her on paid leave and recommended your own summary of the facts, March 16, 2009, and available that she be fired . The school board ap- then create an alternate version online at www.usatoday.com/news/ proved her resignation . . from the opposition. Discuss. education/2009-03-16-teacher- 5. Identify an issue in the news that laramie_N.htm —reported: Activities for Writing has sparked controversy. Using [In January 2009] Debra Taylor and Research the Web and other sources, find showed students at Grandfield High articles, blog posts and other School [in Grandfield, Oklahoma]The 1. What makes The Laramie Project commentary that present the Laramie Project, a 2002 film based controversial? Why do you think varying sides of the controversy. on the play of the same name, about it has become one of the most- Which facts are agreed upon by the murder of Matthew Shepard . The performed plays in America? different sides? Where do the students soon decided to film selected 2. Imagine that you could interview facts and interpretations differ? scenes themselves for an in-class project . Debra Taylor, Ed Turlington and (Example: Consider the address Taylor, 50, knew the project was students in Ms. Taylor’s class. What to students that President Obama controversial with strong language, but questions would you ask? delivered on September 8, 2009.) got her principal’s permission . A few 3. As you watch the Epilogue, note 6. Choose a lightning-rod issue in weeks into it, the principal told her to how and why the interpretation your own life. Write about it and stop production . After students protest- of events surrounding Matthew share with a partner if you choose.

8 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue

h b o than MatthewShepard. community this for more done has “ I cannot mention anyone who who I cannotmentionanyone e i m a r a l — r e h t a f tholic i l o h at c , g n i m o y w

r e g o r ” AUDIENCE GUIDETO

t s e i r p

t i m h c s , 1998

in ,

R AMIE PROJECT THELA ➐ ➏ ➎ ➍ ➓ ➒ ➑ ➌ ➋ ➊ 10 Ways toPrep THE RO           • • • • ties anddiscussionssuggestedinthisguide. www.timeclassroom.com/laramie questions, contextandactivitiesrelatedtothefilm,visit do thescriptandfilmversionsdiffer?Fordiscussion Epilogue. Shareyourfindingswithclass orgroup. Matthew Shepard’skillingonLaramieand/or aboutthe Do researchtofindadditionalquotesaboutthe impactof Read anddiscussthequotationspresentedinthisguide. Plan timesforyourclassorcommunitytoengageintheactivi report onyourstate’spoliciestheseissues. domestic partnerrightsandsame-sexmarriage.Research hate crimes;andcoverageoflegislativeissuessurrounding stories abouttheEpilogueandanniversary;articles Monitor localandnationalmediainthenextfewweeksfor “pen pal”e-mailcorrespondence. a siteinyourstate,orchooseanotherandcreate tab atwww.LaramieProject.org. Considerpartneringwith October 12,2009.Seethelistunder“FindaPerformance” Note whichsitesareparticipatingintheEpiloguepremiereon www.LaramieProject.org of theEpilogue. Share your questions with theCome upwithalistof questions you’dliketoaskthecreators online community at performance and/or residencies. plan tovideotapeortake digitalphotosofyourrehearsals, www.LaramieProject.org Brainstorm waystobecomepartoftheonline communityat before andafterOctober12,2009. more themes, moments and/or characters to trace and report on Assign eachparticipantorsmallgroupofparticipants oneor Read thesebackgroundarticlesontheEpilogue: See theHBOfilmversionof Read orre-readthescriptof The MeaningofMatthew:AnExcerpt Back toLaramie Laramie KillingGivenEpilogueaDecadeLater Has AnythingChanged? Back_to_Laramie Arts_and_Entertainment/Books/The_Meaning_of_Matthew__An_Excerpt www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/theater/17laramie.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1 L AD TO : TENYE ARS LA www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Theater/ are FORVIEWINGtheEpilogue ARMIE . . If photography is permitted atyoursite, TER­

www.newsweek.com/id/163027 — The LaramieProject.How The LaramieProject. An Epilogue

www.advocate.com/

9 - Audience guide• p art 2: ISSUES AND THEMES IN FOCUS

THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER AN EPILOGUE o t o h p : m i t

t u n s e h c

Inside This Guide Laramie, Wyoming: “An Outdoor Town with an Outlaw Past” ...... 2 Map of U .S . Hate Crime Laws ...... 10

Laramie Then and Now: Measuring Change . . . .4 The Laramie Project: A Chronology ...... 11

One Visitor’s Impressions ...... 6 House of Representatives Resolution 777 . . . .13

Expanding Laws Against Hate: The Shepard Act . . 8 Resources for Further Exploration ...... 15

Tectonic Theater Project gratefully acknowledges the Rockefeller Foundation, Time Warner and HBO for their generous support of this Audience Guide. TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT Laramie: ‘An outdoor town with an outlaw past’ t r u m p m a t t h e w

There’s so much space Laramie, Wyoming—which calls In its early days, the town of itself “An Outdoor Town with an Laramie was “ungovernable,” “between people and towns here, Outlaw Past”—is famous for its in the words of its first mayor, rugged mountains, sprawling M.C. Brown, who lasted just so much time for reflection. prairies and Wild West traditions. three weeks on the job before Situated in southeastern Wyoming, quitting in 1868. Brown was the —r e b e c c a h” i l l i k e r , 130 miles north of and object of threats from three half- u n i v e r s i t y o f w y o m i n g p r o f e s s o r , 7,200 feet above sea level, the brothers—“Big” Steve Long, q u o t e d in t h e l a r a m i e p r o j e c t town is home to some 27,000 Ace Moyer and Con Moyer—who residents and to the University owned a saloon called Bucket of of Wyoming, the school Matthew Blood. The brothers took the law The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later Shepard attended before his into their own hands, forcing set- writers Moisés Kaufman, murder in 1998. tlers to turn over their property Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris deeds to them. Those who resist- and Stephen Belber Founded in the mid-1860s, ed were shot; by October 1868, dramaturg Jimmy Maize Laramie is named for Jacques Long had killed 13 men. Audience Guide to The Laramie Project: LaRamie, a trapper who was one Ten Years Later writers Bennett Singer and of the first Europeans to reach Albany County’s first sheriff, Ellen Gordon Reeves the American West. In addition to N.K. Boswell, organized a vigilance design ShapiroDesign the city of Laramie, the trapper committee, and on October 28, Tectonic Theater Project also lends his name to a mountain 1868, led a group of armed artistic director Moisés Kaufman range, river, county and U.S. men into Bucket of Blood. After executive director Greg Reiner Army fort. overpowering the three brothers,

2 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue LARAMIE LYNCHING: This rare photo documents the hanging of Steve Long, Con Moyer and Ace Moyer in October 1868.

Now, after Matthew, I would “say that Laramie is a town defined by an accident, a crime .... We’re a noun, a definition, a sign. We may be able to get rid of that ... but it will sure take a while. —j e d a d” i a h s c h u lt z , l a r a m i e r e s i d e n t , in a 1998 i n t e r v i e w

Boswell and his men lynched them. States to cast a legal ballot when For Discussion A number of other lynchings fol- she voted in September 1870. 1. Have you been to Laramie or lowed. It took this kind of violence have you seen The Laramie for Boswell to impose a degree of Laramie’s early businesses included Project play or film? What law and order on Laramie. a slaughterhouse, a brickyard, a actual or imagined images of brewery, a glass-blowing plant and Laramie have you retained? A year later, in 1869, the a plaster mill. Several railroads 2. What are your impressions of Wyoming Territory was orga- were based in Laramie, and in Wyoming, and where do these nized. In its first session, the 1886 Governor Francis E. Warren impressions come from? What Wyoming legislature passed a signed a bill that established the other depictions of Wyoming bill giving women equal politi- University of Wyoming (UW). have you seen or read about? cal rights—including the right to Laramie was selected as the site, (Consider Brokeback Mountain, vote. As the first state to grant and UW opened there in 1887. other films and news reports.) this right to women, Wyoming The university, the only four-year 3. Why is Wyoming known as the became known as the Equality institution in the state, has grown Equality State? In what ways State. Five Laramie resi- dramatically and now has a student was the state a trailblazer? dents made history in 1870 when body of 13,000. Since 2003, UW 4. What is your reaction to the they became the first women in has hosted the Shepard Symposium 1868 photograph and cap- the world to serve on a jury. And for Social Justice, an annual event tion shown above? What con- because Laramie was the first held to honor Matthew Shepard’s nections do you see between Wyoming town to hold a local memory by focusing on strategies Laramie’s history as described election, a Laramie native was to eliminate inequality and in this section and the Matthew the first woman in the United promote justice. Shepard case?

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 3 LARAMIE THEN AND NOW: measuring CHANGE

Consider the following descrip- tions of Laramie in 1998 and 2008 . Some of these comments come from Laramie residents; others come from outsiders who visited the town and shared their impressions . How might your community or neighbor- hood be described by visitors or journalists? When you watch the Epilogue, listen for the ways that Laramie residents describe their own town, in contrast to and

in concert with the perceptions e t t e n a n

of outsiders . n i t r a m

Journal Entries: 1998 like a turn-of-the-century western These excerpts are drawn from the town. Oh, and as we passed the script of the original Laramie Project. University Inn, on the sign where amenities such as heated pool or COMPANY MEMBER cable TV are usually touted, it said: GREG PIEROTTI: We arrived HATE IS NOT A LARAMIE VALUE. today in the Denver airport and drove to Laramie. The moment we crossed the Wyoming border I swear I saw Reporters: 1998 a herd of Buffalo. Also, I thought it NEWSPERSON 1: Laramie, Wyoming— was strange that the Wyoming sign often called the Gem City of the said: WYOMING—LIKE NO PLACE ON Plains— is now at the eye of the storm. EARTH instead of WYOMING—LIKE NO NEWSPERSON 2: The cowboy state PLACE ELSE ON EARTH. has its rednecks and yahoos, for sure, but there are no more bigots per h b o COMPANY MEMBER capita in Wyoming than there are in BARBARA PITTS: We arrived New York, Florida or California. The in Laramie tonight. Just past difference is that in Wyoming there the WELCOME TO LARAMIE sign are fewer places to blend in if you’re —POPULATION 26,687—the first anything other than prairie stock.... thing to greet us was Walmart. In NEWSPERSON 4: People would like the dark, we could be on any main to think that what happened to drag in America—fast-food chains, Matthew was an exception to the gas stations. But as we drove into rule, but it was an extreme version the downtown area by the railroad of what happens in our schools on a tracks, the buildings still looked daily basis.

4 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue “Things are going really well and the coffers are filling. Now, some of these communities they’re drill- ing in are just getting hammered in terms of the environment—the goose that’s laying the golden egg is crapping all over you, but it’s still producing golden eggs.”

— j e d a d i a h s c h u lt z l a r a m i e r e s i d e n t

“How has Laramie changed? These days in Wyoming with the coal-bed The Fireside Bar, methane boom and—the energy where Matthew Shepard met m a r t i n Aaron McKinney and Russell industry—like Dick Cheney sold Henderson on October 7, 1998.

n a n e t t e half our state to Halliburton. But people don’t seem to mind.”

Laramie hasn’t done much Laramie 2008 —m a t t m i c k e l s o n , In these excerpts from the Epilogue, f o r m e r o w n e r o f t h e f i r e s i d e b a r , worse or better on gay rights residents and visitors describe w h e r e m a t t h e w s h e pa r d “ m e t h i s a s s a i l a n t s . Laramie ten years after Matthew (t h e b a r h a s b e e n s o l d a n d than most other places around the Shepard was killed. r e n a m e d jj’s.)

country, so who am I to come in “My gut reaction is that Laramie is “On the surface things have a somewhat better place to be than changed here—just look around you and expect Laramie to be reach- it was ten years ago, but I don’t at the physical growth. But whether know how to tell the story of the or not we have changed the under- ing some goal that my own state past ten years without having to lying culture of Wyoming at all— think about both what we’ve done, I don’t know.”

hasn’t attained? but also what we haven’t done.” —r e b e c c a h i l l i k e r , t h e at e r p r o f e s s o r , u n i v e r s i t y o f w y o m i n g —b e t h l o f f r e d a , —t e c t o n i c c o m” pa n y m e m b e r a n d u n i v e r s i t y o f w y o m i n g p r o f e s s o r n e w y o r k r e s i d e n t g r e g p i e r o t t i , “I think the people who were in a 2008 j o u r n a l e n t r y “Arriving into town off Highway outraged by Matthew Shepard’s 80, I am surprised by how much murder are still outraged. I think the town has grown. There is an that hardcore Wyoming faction explosion of new development on who said: ‘That little faggot the east side. At least three brand got what he deserved’—they’re new hotels and several strip malls. still right there HERE and they’re Walmart has been replaced by still teaching their children the Super Walmart.” same thing.”

—l e i g h fondakowski , —z a c k i e s a l m o n , m e m b e r o f t e c t o n i c t h e at e r p r o j e c t l a r a m i e r e s i d e n t

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 5 a n d y pa r i s (6) Ten Years Later Years Ten 6 first andwhatisuniversallyacknowledged.” talksabout there aremanyreasons,butthisiswhateverybody people whoask,‘WhydoesanyoneliveinLaramie?’Obviously themselves. TheyarethemostsuccinctanswerI’vefoundfor between LaramieandCheyenne.Ithinkthepicturesspeakfor [UW professor]BethLoffredainV that aremorewoodedandmountainousfrommywalkwith resident] JonasSlonakerjustoutsideofLaramie.Theones “The photosontheprairiearefrommywalkwith[Laramie Heofferedthisbackgroundontheimages: Laramie. Andy Paris, oneofthewriters J Visit One

mpression , sharedthesephotosfromhistripsto AUDIENCE GUIDETO edauwoo, anationalpark The Laramie Project: Project: Laramie The R AMIE PROJECT THELA o s r’s : TENYE ARS LA TER — An Epilogue For Discussion or Writing 1. According to the residents quoted on pages 4 and 5, how have Laramie in particular and Wyoming in general changed since 1998? 2. What are your reactions to the photos by Andy Paris? Does seeing these images make you want to live in or visit a place like Laramie? Why or why not? 3. If your computer can play video, go to http://media.visitlaramie.org/ flash/player and watch the videos that are presented there. How does Laramie present itself? What image does the town project through these videos? 4. If you were setting out to measure how your town had changed over the course of the last ten years, what would you look for? What questions would you ask? To whom would you talk? Brainstorm a list. 5. As you watch the Epilogue, keep in mind Beth Loffreda’s remark that she can’t think about the story without reflecting not only on what has been done but on what has not been done, and Rebecca Hilliker’s observation that while Laramie may have changed physically, she’s not sure how much the underlying culture of Laramie has changed. How would you describe your own neighborhood or community, physically and politically, now and ten years ago? How has it changed and/or grown? How is it changing now? How would you describe its “underlying culture” then and now? What do you think it will look like in ten years? What kind of changes, concrete and abstract, happen over time naturally in a community? How can change be brought about intentionally? If your community has had a watershed moment, consider its short-term and long-term effects.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 7 expanding laws against hate: the shepard act

Hate crimes—also known as bias- crimes motivated by a victim’s per- motivated crimes—are committed ceived or actual sexual orientation, when a perpetrator targets a victim gender, or disability. on the basis of his or her perceived The bill would also remove the re- race, religion, sexual orientation, quirement that the victim be engag- disability, ethnicity, nationality, ing in a federally protected activity. age, gender, gender identity or political affiliation. The role of these Beyond this, the Shepard Act personal characteristics (or the would give federal officials the perception of these characteristics) power to investigate hate crimes in motivating the offender is the that local authorities elect not to primary difference between hate pursue; provide new funding to help crimes and other criminal acts. state and local agencies prosecute m a r t i n hate crimes; and require the FBI n a n e t t e Forty-five states and the District of to record statistics on hate crimes Columbia impose extra penalties committed against transgender for certain types of hate crimes. people. (Statistics for the other tar- One of my highest personal Twenty-seven states and the District geted groups are already recorded.) of Columbia require authorities to “priorities ... is to do everything I collect statistics on hate crimes. The Shepard Act has a long history But only 12 states and the District of debate in the U.S. Congress. On can to ensure this critical legislation of Columbia have enacted laws that April 2, 2009, Rep. punish hate crimes based on sexual of Michigan introduced the measure finally becomes law. orientation and gender identity. into the House of Representatives for Wyoming is one of five states that the fifth time. “We all remember the —u.s. at t” o r n e y g e n e r a l have no hate-crime legislation. (See brutal murders of Matthew Shepard e r i c h o l d e r , a t a j u n e 2009 the map on page 10 for a state-by- in Wyoming and James Byrd in s e n a t e h e a r i n g o n t h e m a t t h e w s h e pa r d a c t state breakdown of hate-crime laws.) Texas because we know that these bias-motivated murders impacted The Federal Level us all,” said House Speaker Nancy Congress passed a national hate- Pelosi. “This bill closes the current crimes law in 1969; this measure gaps in federal law to provide fed- imposes additional penalties for eral assistance in the cases of a hate crimes based on a person’s race, crime committed against persons color, religion or national origin because of their gender, sexual orien- when the victim is engaging in a tation, gender identity or disability.” federally protected activity, such as voting or attending school. Opposing Arguments The Matthew Shepard Act Opponents of hate-crime legisla- (officially known as the Local tion argue that it stifles free speech. Law Enforcement Hate Crimes James Dobson, founder of the Prevention Act, or LLEHCPA) conservative lobbying group Focus would expand this law to include on the Family, spoke out against

8 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue

n a n e t t e m a r t i n span ofadecade theover day every of hour every for crime hate one 2007—nearly and1998 between FBI the by reportedincidents hate-crime orientation bias sexual- by motivated 2007 in vated byracialbias moti be to determined 2007 in available) (the 2007 in arefigures which for year latest reported crimes 1,299 1,472 4,337 7,624 77,000 2007 motivatedbyreligious bias Judy andDennisShepard,1998 the Numbers Hate Crimesby Number of Number in hate crimes Number of hate crimeshate of Number crimeshate of Number Total number of hate hate of number Total otal number of o r e b m u n l a t To AUDIENCE GUIDETO - and dothattoMatt.” two boysthoughtitwasokay tohate advocating thelawissimple: “Those Congress this year. Her reason for the billwillfinallymakeit through and Judy Shepard is hopeful that expressed his support for the Act, Obama’s desk.ThePresident has tee before they are sent to President be reconciled in a conference commit Senate versions of the bill must now the Act in July 2009; the House and The Senatevoted63-to-28infavorof cal legislation finally becomes law.” Icantoensurethiscriti everything “highest personal priorities ... is to do Holder declared that one of his this legislation.Duringhistestimony, General hasevertestifiedinfavorof ing the first time a sitting Attorney bill ataJuneSenatehearing,mark- Eric Holder spoke in support of the April 28, 2009. Attorney General of Massachusetts introduced it on Senate, where Senator Ted Kennedy 249 to 175, the bill advanced to the After passing the House by a vote of religious expressioninanyway.” not impinge on freedom of speech or motivated crimes of violence and does pression. Thebillonlyappliestobias- rights offreespeechandreligiousex bill does not limit First Amendment free speech.ExplainsPelosi: “The language inthebillthatprotects counter this concern by pointing to ity.” Supporters of the Shepard Act abouthomosexual- biblical concerns who dare to express their moral and it would“muzzlepeopleoffaith the ShepardAct,contendingthat R AMIE PROJECT THELA : TENYE ARS LA TER­ - - - — An Epilogue 3. 2. 1. For Discussion 7. 6. 5. 4. Project: Ten Years Later Later Years Ten Project: the worldofpolitics?Discuss. can apieceoftheateraffect crime legislation?Inwhat ways they considerexpandinghate- of citizensandlawmakers as potential toinfluencetheviews Who isJamesDobsonandwhy laws inyourstate? crimes, ifany, arecoveredby legislation? Whatkindsofhate What stateshavenohate-crime orientation orgenderidentity? victim’s realorperceivedsexual penalties forcrimesbasedona laws thatimposeadditional 10, whatstateshaveenacted According tothemaponpage bring toAmerica’slegalsystem? Act andwhatchangeswouldit What istheMatthewShepard does thislegislationdo? by hate-crimelegislation?What covered of crimesarecurrently On thefederallevel,whatsort Do youthink this legislation? does President Obamastandon Matthew ShepardAct?Where What isthestatusof sive? Least convincing? Why? points doyoufindmostpersua- make to support their case? Which What arguments do the writers pieces with a partner and discuss: Matthew Shepard Act. Share the opinion pieces for and against the find at least two editorials or Through additional research, to thesignpicturedonpage8? islation? Whatisyourreaction does heobjecttohate-crimeleg-

The Laramie Laramie The has the 9 Hate Crime Laws in the U.S. This map was last updated on: July 14, 2009

WA ME MT ND VT OR MN NH ID WI NY MA SD 1 RI WY MI 3 CT IA PA NE NV OH NJ IN2 DE UT IL CO MD CA WV VA DC KS MO KY NC AZ TN 1-Michigan’s hate crime penalty laws do OK not include sexual orientation, but hate NM AR SC crime data collection laws do. AL GA MS 2-Indiana has no hate crime penalty laws, but does include sexual orientation in TX hate crime data collection. LA AK 3-In 2008, Pennsylvania’s highest FL court overturned the 2002 amendments HI to the hate crimes law that added sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, gender, and mental and physical disability, based on the procedural way the legislation was passed by the legislature, not the content of the law.

States with hate crime laws that include crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity—12 states & the District of Columbia California, , Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, , New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington States with hate crime laws that include crimes based on sexual orientation—18 states Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin States with hate crime laws that do not include crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity—15 states Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Indiana2, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania3, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia States that do not have hate crime laws that include crimes based on any characteristics—5 states 1 www.theTaskForce.org Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan , South Carolina, Wyoming The laramie project: A CHRONOLOGY

of kidnapping, aggravated rob- bery and attempted first-degree murder.

October 12, 1998 Shepard dies at Poudre Valley Health Center after five days in a coma. pat t e r s o n November 1998 Members of New York City’s r o m a i n e

Tectonic Theater Project arrive c o u rt e s y in Laramie to conduct interviews Countering Hate: In April 1999, December 1, 1976 for a play that examines the , a close friend of Matthew Shepard, founded Angel Matthew Shepard is born in effects of Shepard’s killing on Action, an organization dedicated to Casper, Wyoming. the town. peaceful demonstration.

September 1996 April 5, 1999 Shepard begins his studies at the Henderson pleads guilty to felony University of Wyoming, where he murder and is sentenced to two majors in political science. consecutive life sentences.

October 7, 1998 November 4, 1999 Shortly after midnight, Shepard At his trial, McKinney invokes meets Aaron McKinney and Russell the “”—the Henderson at the Fireside Bar in argument that he was driven to Laramie. After posing as gay men temporary insanity by Shepard’s and offering Shepard a ride home, alleged sexual advances. McKinney and Henderson rob him, McKinney and Henderson’s girl- pistol-whip him, tie him with rope friends testify under oath that and stretch him along a fence on their boyfriends plotted before- the outskirts of Laramie. hand to rob a gay man. McKinney is convicted of first-degree October 7, 1998 felony murder and second-degree Eighteen hours after the beating, murder. He is spared the death a biker finds Shepard tied to the penalty after a speech by Dennis Russell Henderson, left, and Aaron fence, brutally beaten and uncon- Shepard, Matthew’s father, and McKinney were convicted of scious. The biker initially mistakes receives two consecutive life murdering Matthew Shepard. Shepard for a scarecrow. sentences.

October 8, 1998 February 2000 McKinney and Henderson are The Laramie Project play opens at arrested and arraigned on charges the Denver Center Theater.

11 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue interview local residents on the 10th anniversary of Shepard’s death.

November 4, 2008 University of Wyoming professor Catherine Connolly becomes the first openly gay or lesbian mem- ber of the Wyoming legislature; p r o j e c t Barack Obama is elected America’s t h e at e r 44th President. Obama pledges to support the Matthew Shepard t e c t o n i c

Act, which would expand federal c o u rt e s y hate-crimes laws to include crimes EVOLUTION OF THE EPILOGUE: Tectonic Theater May 2000 motivated by a victim’s actual Project company members Andy The play moves to The Union or perceived sexual orientation, Paris (left) and Greg Pierotti (third from left) participated in readings Square Theater in New York City. gender, gender identity or disability. of the Epilogue script during the summer of 2009. November 2000 September 2009 The play debuts in Laramie. Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mother and an active campaigner on behalf March 2002 of federal hate-crime legislation, The Laramie Project film premieres publishes a new book, The Meaning on HBO. of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed. 2003 The University of Wyoming renames September 24, 2009 its annual Social Justice Symposium Rep. Jim McDermott of to honor Matthew Shepard. Washington State introduces House Resolution 777 “honoring all those November 26, 2004 participating in a production of ABC’s 20/20 airs a segment The Laramie Project: 10 Years entitled “Matthew Shepard: Later in remembrance of Matthew Secrets of a Murder” featuring Shepard.” To view the full text of interviews with McKinney and this resolution, see pages 12 and Henderson. Reporter Elizabeth 13 of this guide. Vargas states in the introduction to International impact: Hope the segment that “money and drugs OCTOBER 12, 2009 Theatre Company in Manchester, England will present one of the motivated [the killers’] actions that The Laramie Project: Ten Years approximately 150 performances of night, not hatred of gays.” Later—An Epilogue premieres in The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. approximately 150 cities around the Fall 2008 world. More than 1,000 actors partici- Members of Tectonic Theater pate in this event, which is seen by tens Project return to Laramie to of thousands of audience members.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 12 IV

111TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 777

IV Honoring all those participating in a production of ‘‘The Laramie Project: IV 10 Years Later’’ in remembrance of Matthew Shepard. IV

111TH CONGRESS IV 111TH1STCONGRESSSESSION IV House of111 repreTH CONGRESSsent H.ative RES.s re 777soluti on 777 1ST SESSION 1ST SESSION H. RES. 777 IN THE HOUSEH. RES. OF REPRESENTATIVES 777 1 111HonoringTH CONGRESS all those participating in a production of ‘‘The Laramie Project: Honoring1111STTHS 10allESSIONCONGRESS Yearsthose participatingLater’’ S inEPTEMBER remembrance in a production24, 2009of Matthew of ‘‘The Shepard. Laramie Project: Honoring1ST allS thoseESSION participating H. in RES. a production 777 of ‘‘The Laramie Project: Mr. MCDERMOTT10 Years(for Later’’ himself, in remembrance Ms. BALDWIN of, Mr.Matthew FRANK Shepard.of Massachusetts, 10 Years Later’’ inH. remembrance RES. of Matthew 777 Shepard. and Mr. POLIS of Colorado) submitted the following resolution; which was Honoringreferred to all the those Committee participating on the in Judiciary a production of ‘‘The Laramie Project: Honoring10 Yearsall those Later’’ participating in remembrance in a production of Matthew of ‘‘The Shepard. Laramie Project: IV IN THE10 Years HOUSE Later’’ OFin remembrance REPRESENTATIVES of Matthew Shepard. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 111INTH CONGRESS THE HOUSE SEPTEMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES24, 2009 Mr. MCD1ERMOTTST SESSION(for himself,SEPTEMBER Ms. BALDWIN24, 2009, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, SEPTEMBERH. RES.24, 2009 777 Mr. MandCD Mr.ERMOTTIN P OLIS THERESOLUTION(forof Colorado) himself, HOUSE Ms. submitted OF BALDWIN REPRESENTATIVES the, following Mr. FRANK resolution; of Massachusetts, which was Mr. MCDERMOTT (for himself, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Honoringreferredand Mr. toP allINOLIS the those THECommitteeof Colorado) participating HOUSE on submitted the Judiciary OF the in REPRESENTATIVES following a production resolution; ofwhich ‘‘The was referredandHonoring Mr. toPOLIS the all Committee ofthose Colorado) participatingS onEPTEMBER submitted the Judiciary in a 24,the production 2009 following of resolution; ‘‘The Laramie which Project: was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary Mr.Laramie MCDERMOTT 10 Project: Years(for himself, Later’’ 10 S Years Ms.inEPTEMBER remembrance BALDWIN Later’’24,, Mr. 2009of in Matthew F RANK remembrance ofShepard. Massachusetts, of Mr.Matthewand M Mr.CD ERMOTTP OLISShepard.of(for Colorado) himself, submitted Ms. BALDWIN the following, Mr. F resolution;RANK of Massachusetts, which was referredand Mr. to thePOLIS Committeeof Colorado) on the submitted Judiciary the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary Whereas MatthewRESOLUTION Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the Uni- versity of RESOLUTION Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, was beaten HonoringHonoring all those allIN RESOLUTION those THE participating participating HOUSE in OFa production in REPRESENTATIVES a production of ‘‘The Laramie of ‘‘The Honoringand tortured, all those tied participating to a wooden in fence, a production and left for of ‘‘Thedead, HonoringProject:Laramie 10 all Years Project: those Later’’ participating 10 inS YearsEPTEMBER remembrance Later’’ in24, a 2009 production inof Matthew remembrance ofShepard. ‘‘The of LaramiedueMr. MtoC DhisERMOTT Project:sexualRESOLUTION(for orientation; himself, 10 Years Ms. B Later’’ALDWIN , inMr. remembrance FRANK of Massachusetts, of WhereasLaramieMatthew Matthew Shepard. 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Wyoming Shepard, in a Laramie, 21-year-old Wyoming, student wasat the beaten Uni- versityhis loving of family Wyoming and friends; in Laramie, Wyoming, was beaten Whereasversityand Matthew Matthew tortured, of WyomingShepard Shepard. tied to died in a wooden Laramie,as a result fence, Wyoming,of his and injuries left was foron beaten October dead, WhereasWhereas12,dueand 1998, to tortured, the Matthewinhis a highly sexualColorado tied Shepard, acclaimedorientation; to hospital, a wooden a 21-year-old play surrounded fence, ‘‘The and Laramiestudent by his left loving at for Project’’ the dead,family Uni- Whereasand tortured, Matthew tied Shepard, to a wooden a 21-year-old fence, and student left for at dead,the Uni- andwasdueversity friends; to written his of sexual Wyoming inRESOLUTION orientation; reaction in Laramie, to the murder Wyoming, of was Matthew beaten Whereasdue versityto Matthew his sexual of Shepard Wyoming orientation; died in as Laramie, a result Wyoming, of his injuries was on beaten Shepard,and tortured, based tied on hundreds to a wooden of interviews fence, and conducted left for dead, by WhereasWhereasHonoring the Matthew highly all acclaimed thoseShepard participating play died ‘‘The as a Laramie result in a of productionProject’’ his injuries was of written on ‘‘The WhereasOctoberand Matthew 12,tortured, 1998, Shepard tied in a todied Colorado a woodenas a result hospital, fence, of his surrounded and injuries left for on by dead, inOctobermembers reactiondueLaramie to his 12,to of the sexual 1998,the Project: murder Tectonic orientation; in aof 10 Colorado Matthew Theater Years Later’’Shepard,hospital, Project in based surrounded with remembrance residentson hundreds by of Octoberhis lovingdue to 12, family his 1998, sexual and in friends;orientation; a Colorado hospital, surrounded by Whereasofhis interviews lovingMatthew Matthew family conducted Shepard. 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VerDate Nov 24 2008 21:25 Sep 24, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR777.IH HR777 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with BILLS Whereas the highly acclaimed play ‘‘The Laramie Project’’ VerDate Nov 24 2008 21:25 Sep 24, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR777.IH HR777 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with BILLS 13 AwasUDIENCE written GUIDE TO TH inE LAR reactionAMIE PROJECT to: TEN the YEA RS murderLATER—A n E ofpilogue Matthew Shepard, based on hundreds of interviews conducted by members of the Tectonic Theater Project with residents

VerDate Nov 24 2008 21:25 Sep 24, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR777.IH HR777 srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with BILLS Whereas the writers of the ‘‘The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later’’ 2 are Tectonic Theater Project members Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber; Whereas ‘‘The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later’’ focuses on the long- term effects of the murder of Matthew Shepard on the town of Laramie, Wyoming, exploring how the town has changed and how the murder continues to reverberate through the community; and Whereas ‘‘The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later’’ will be performed in New York at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and at over 100 other theaters in all 50 States, including the Seattle Repertory Theater; the Arena Stage in Washington, DC; Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio; Lied Center for the Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska; Williams Theatre in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and the Berkeley Repertory Theater; and will also be performed in Canada, Great Britain, Spain, Hong Kong, and Aus-tralia: Now, therefore, be it resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) honors all those participating in a produc- 2 tion of ‘‘The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later’’ in 3 remembrance of Matthew Shepard; 4 (2) expresses its continuing condemnation of all 5 violent acts motivated by hatred, including the tor- 6 ture and murder of Matthew Shepard, and com- 7 mends the involvement of all Americans in building 8 a more civil and tolerant society; and 9 (3) congratulates the participants and patrons 10 involved for continuing to engage in activities that 11 raise awareness of hate crimes in our society. o 3 •HRES 777 IH

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 14 Resources for Further Exploration h b o

Books Matthew Shepard’s mother shares report. Podcast available for view- Kaufman, Moisés and the Members her story about her son’s death and ing at http://www.inthelifetv.org/ of Tectonic Theater Project. The the decision she made to become an html/episodes/27.html Laramie Project (New York: international gay rights activist. Vintage Books, 2001). The script of Brother Outsider: The Life of the original Laramie Project play, Videos (2003, 84 min.). now one of the most frequently per- The Laramie Project (2002, This award-winning portrait of the formed works of theater in America. 97 min.). Directed by Moisés “unknown hero” of the civil rights Kaufman, this HBO film chronicles movement illuminates the life Loffreda, Beth. Losing Matt a town forced to confront itself and work of an African American Shepard: Life and Politics in the in the reflective glare of the activist, strategist and mentor to Aftermath of Anti-Gay Murder national spotlight. Cast includes Martin Luther King Jr. who dared (New York: Columbia University Steve Buscemi, Kathleen Chalfant, to live as an openly gay man. Press, 2000). Loffreda, a profes- Peter Fonda, Janeane Garofalo, http://rustin.org sor at the University of Wyoming, Laura Linney and . analyzes the impact and media Licensed to Kill (1997, 77 min.). coverage of Shepard’s killing, pay- ABC News 20/20: The Matthew Profiles men whose hatred of gay ing particular attention to issues of Shepard Case (2004, 44 min.). This men led them to commit murder. class, race, homophobia and gender. controversial and widely discredited www.deepfocusproductions.com/ report argues that money and drugs, licensed–to–kill.php Patterson, Romaine. The Whole not hatred of gays, motivated Aaron World Was Watching: Living in the McKinney and Russell Henderson to Milk (2008, 128 min.). An Academy Light of Matthew Shepard (New kill Matthew Shepard. Award-winning feature film, starring York: Advocate Books, 2005). An Sean Penn and directed by Gus Van account of one woman’s journey into In the Life: Setting the Record Sant, about Harvey Milk, the first international political activism. Straight. This PBS newsmagazine openly gay elected official in America, offers an in-depth rebuttal of the who was assassinated in 1978. Shepard, Judy. The Meaning of arguments made in the 20/20 piece Matthew: My Son’s Murder in on Matthew Shepard, examining the The Times of Harvey Milk (1984, 87 Laramie, and a World Transformed sources and methodology to discover min.). An Academy Award-winning (New York: Hudson Street, 2009). what was missing from ABC’s documentary on Harvey Milk.

15 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue Websites and Organizations www.glaad.org http://www.laramieproject.org Resources and action campaigns The online community of The from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Laramie Project, featuring blogs, Against Defamation. photos, videos and forums. www.partnersagainsthate.org http://www.matthewshepard.com Extensive information on hate crimes. Resources and news from the Matthew Shepard Foundation, http://www.adl.org/combating_hate which works to replace hate with Tools to fight bigotry from the understanding and acceptance. Anti-Defamation League. “Matthew’s Place” features extensive information on Matthew http://www.visitlaramie.org Shepard’s life and legacy. Background on Laramie, including videos on history and culture, from http://www.matthewshepard.org/site/ the Albany County Tourism Board. PageServer?pagename=Voices_ Tectonic_Theater_Project www.uwyo.edu The one skill that I think In-depth interview with the team of The University of Wyoming’s website. writers who created The Laramie “we’ve all developed over time, and Project: Ten Years Later. Articles and Periodicals http://www.laramieboomerang.com that we definitely had a crash course www.timeclassroom.com/laramie The Laramie Boomerang, providing Student magazine, teacher’s guide local Laramie news. To read a five- in, is just listening. Listening and and resources from TIME Magazine part series published on the 10th to accompany HBO’s Laramie anniversary of Shepard’s death, stepping back with our own points of Project film. click on the Archives link, then enter “Matthew Shepard” in the view and actually letting somebody http://www.readromaine.com/site/ Advanced Search field and October laramie.htm 2008 in the date field. speak his or her truth. Romaine Patterson’s website, with background on Angel Action and gal- www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/ —g r e g p i e r o t t i , m e” m b e r o f t h e lery of Laramie Project photos. magazine/27out-t.html l a r a m i e p r o j e c t writing t e a m , New York Times Sunday Magazine q u o t e d in a n o n l i n e i n t e r v i e w a t m a t t h e w ’s p l a c e www.tolerance.org cover story on teens who come out Readings, activities, free teaching in middle school. kits and resources to combat hate and promote tolerance. http://content.usatoday.com/topics/ topic/Matthew+Shepard www.glsen.org Collection of all USATODAY.com Materials for teachers and students coverage of Matthew Shepard, from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight including articles, videos, photos Education Network. and quotes.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 16 Audience guide• p art 3: Viewing and Analyzing the Epilogue

THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER AN EPILOGUE o t o h p : m i t

t u n s e h c

Inside This Guide Examining Moments from Voices of a Community: The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later . . . 2. Studying the Characters in the Epilogue . . 6.

Writing a Review of Script Analysis: Excerpt And Activities . . 9. The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later . . . 4. The Big Picture: Synthesizing What You Have Seen . . . 11.

Tectonic Theater Project gratefully acknowledges the Rockefeller Foundation, Time Warner and HBO for their generous support of this Audience Guide. TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT Examining Moments from The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later is created from a series of “moments,” or units of theatri- cal time. The moments are not presented in strict chronological order, but they are juxtaposed with one another to form a compel- ling dramatic arc. To learn more about Tectonic Theater Project’s “Moment Work” technique, see the box at right.

As you watch the Epilogue, take note of each of the 31 moments within the play. If you are work- n e r a k ing in a group, consider assigning

s s u l k a moment (or more than one if necessary) to each member or Tasmania’s ReAct Theatre presented a production of The Laramie Project in 2008. small group of members. A list of the play’s 31 moments appears on page 3; moments to study may be assigned alphabetically or by What is Moment Work? writing moment titles on slips of paper and drawing them out of a Tectonic Theater Project uses a technique known as Moment Work to develop hat. Ask each member or group to plays. By combining primary-source material drawn from interviews, docu- track the moment and report on it ments and other sources, the writers create pieces of theater based on “mo- using the questions on page 3. ments,” or units of theatrical time, as opposed to traditionally delineated scenes and acts. Both The Laramie Project and the Epilogue were created this way.

In his introduction to The Laramie Project, Moisés Kaufman explains: When writing this play, we used a technique I developed called ‘moment The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later work.’ It is a method to create and analyze theater from a structuralist (or writers Moisés Kaufman, tectonic) perspective. For that reason, there are no “scenes” in this play, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris only “moments.” A “moment” does not mean a change of locale, or an and Stephen Belber entrance or exit of characters. It is simply a unit of theatrical time, which dramaturg Jimmy Maize is then juxtaposed with other units to convey meaning. Audience Guide to The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later writers Bennett Singer and Even without conventional scenes, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later Ellen Gordon Reeves still has identifiable elements of theater. There is a setting—Laramie, design ShapiroDesign Wyoming—although it is not denoted by backdrops and decorated sets. Tectonic Theater Project There are characters who appear and reappear; there is a plot with a artistic director Moisés Kaufman beginning, middle and end; and there are themes and motifs running executive director Greg Reiner throughout the piece.

2 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue Moments in Focus: Moments in Questions To Consider the Epilogue

What is the title of your moment? (Please note: This list is subject to change Why do you think this title was in performance.) chosen? What would you rename it? ACT I The Light This Fall What characters appear in your Good Energy moment? Have you encountered them before? Discuss the reliability of each 2nd and Garfield speaker, his or her biases, and his or Strip Mall her stance or opinion. Do you agree Third and Custer or disagree with anything being said? Reggie and Marge r a p i d s

c e d a r

Safe Pocket What happens in your moment?

t h e at r e Boomerang #1: Deb Thomsen A poster from Theatre Cedar Rapids’ What do you take away from your Measuring Change #1 production of The Laramie Project. moment? What struck you most? Bench Dedication Why do you think the writers chose to Father Roger include this material in the Epilogue? Lucy Thompson We talk a lot, within the Next Generation What, if anything, don’t you under- 20/20 company,“ about the poetry of the stand about your moment? What questions do you have? Smarter Than That vernacular. How ordinary people Romaine Patterson How does your moment relate to Boomerang #2: “Our View” have certain turns of phrases or the moments immediately before Visible Markers and after it? To other moments? they articulate things in ways where Boomerang #3: The Story We’ve Told Ourselves Consider the process by which the Shame literally it’s like poetry. You can feel moment was created. What is the value of hearing the actual words of Potluck it in the moment, you experience Laramie residents? Recall places in The Investigating Officers the script where the play “announces ACT II it in the moment; you almost can’t itself”—that is, points at which the making of the play is incorporated Russell Henderson wait to put it on stage. into the play itself. For example, com- Institutional Change pany members talk about wanting to Language of Delay —l e i g h fondakowski , ” interview people. And in Act II, Greg Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) m e m b e r o f t h e l a r a m i e p r o j e c t Pierotti says to Aaron McKinney, writing t e a m Measuring Change #2 “So you know we wrote a play and Remorse you are a character in it?,” to which McKinney responds: “Yeah, I heard Aaron McKinney about it. I heard about it but I never Judy Shepard saw it. I don’t know what I say in it.” Legacy

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 3 Writing a Review of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later

media frenzy: Both The Laramie Project l l i b

and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later s m a i l l i w chronicle the media’s role in constructing the story of Matthew Shepard’s death.

[The Laramie Project] Theater critics across the country Producer? Lighting designer? Is and around the world may be there a special set, costumes or portrays“ an American town with reviewing the October 12 premiere props? How is lighting used? of The Laramie Project: Ten Years grace, truth, theatrical economy, Later. You may choose to write What themes and ideas does the your own review of the performance play tackle, and what impact does compassion, wit, despair and love. at your site. Whether you read the it have on you? What do you see critiques of others or write an anal- as the message of the play? What [It proves that] theater can serve ysis of your own, there are several choices has the director made in theatrical elements and terms with presenting the Epilogue? What as witness to our deeds. It’s we which you should be familiar (see is your opinion of the pacing list on page 5). of the production? Are there who must answer one by one, for moments that you find particularly A good reviewer always supports moving? Powerful? Sad? Funny? what we all create and what we his or her opinions with facts, Surprising? descriptions, reasons and specific destroy together. details. Bear in mind that a “read- To see sample reviews of the ing” is just that: a reading of a original Laramie Project play and —f r o m a s a n f r a” n c i s c o c h r o n i c l e script by actors without elaborate film, go to www.google.com and r e v i e w o f t h e o r i g i n a l sets, staging, costuming, or props. type in “Laramie Project” and l a r a m i e p r o j e c t “reviews” in the search field. You’ll As you watch on October 12, note find hundreds of critiques there. the following at your site. How are Once you’ve expressed your own the actors dressed? Is it clear who opinions on paper, see what others is portraying which characters? had to say after October 12, 2009, What denotes a new moment? by searching for local, national What kind of program is offered, and international reviews of the if any? Who is the director? Epilogue.

4 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue

c o u rt e s y t i m o t h y g a l a z /a r i z o n a d a i l y w i l d c a t Consider thesetermsasyouwatchtheperformanceandwriteyourreview. Company: Castandcrewanyotherpeoplewhoworkonashow Costumes: Clotheswornbythecast Theme: Mainideaexplored intheplay Setting: Wheretheplayunfolds are that things physical the all and act each for stage the of Setting Set: the including not story, the tell to play a in used items the All Props: Playwright: Authorofaplay(dramatist) On Book:Whencompanymembersreadfromtheirscripts Narrator: Lighting Dramaturg: Director: Characters ( Cast: Peoplewhoperforminashow Blocking: October 12 premiere of the Epilogue. of Arizona at Tucson rehearse for the on book: OFTHETHEATERELEMENTS and editingofascript(thetexttheplay). used tochangethestage fortheperformance scenery orcostumes;short for“properties” works withthedirectortogetdesiredeffects presented, who works with the actors on their roles, develops the the develops roles, their on actors blocking/staging, andisinchargeofrehearsals the with works who presented, supposed tobeonstageatalltimes Companymemberwhoexplainsand/orcomments ontheaction Designer: Person who provides the vision of how a show should be be should show a how of vision the provides who Person Instructions that actors use to know exactly where they are are they where exactly know to use actors that Instructions Students at the University StudentsattheUniversity Person who advises a playwright and director on the creation dramatis personae dramatis Person who designs the lighting for a show and and show a for lighting the designs who Person AUDIENCE GUIDETO ) : Peopleintheplayportrayedbyactors R AMIE PROJECT THELA : TENYE ARS LA TER­ — An Epilogue CodeYellow • HateCrime • Hallie • Tectonic • Structuralist • Epilogue • you seetheplay. afteror before one each up Look TenProject:Laramie Years Later to related all are places and peopleterms, following The “Don’t Ask,Don’t Tell” • • DollyParton • • TheMatthewShepardAct • HouseJointResolution17 • Prop.8 • Defense • Natureversus nurture • DaveFreudenthal • Tom Buchanan • NellieTaylor Ross • EstherHobart • • UrbanMyth • Rumor • Homophobia • ReactionFormation • Folklorist • Definitionsofshameand • Definitionsoftoleranceand • Excommunication • Mormons • Meth • “Tweaking” • Theater Project Project Theater AND W KNOPEOPLE TO TER Our Town Our Ice Man (DOMA) Mountain Brokeback remorse acceptance

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5 . Voices of a Community: Studying the Characters in the Epilogue w i l l i a m s b i l l HATE AND HOPE: Characters in both The Laramie Project and the Epilogue share their views on an array of social issues—and on the process of creating change.

Divide up the character list below Chairman Childers: Conservative Jan Lundhurst: Laramie resident (presented here in alphabetical Representative in Wyoming legislature Jedediah Shultz: Laramie native, order according to first name) and Clerk in Wyoming legislature character in the original play; assign each person several charac- Cowboy at health clinic university theater student now living in ters to follow throughout the play. Current students at University of NYC and pursuing an acting career Wyoming campus Jeffrey Lockwood: Laramie resident After viewing The Laramie Project: Dave O’Malley: Retired Laramie Jerry Parkinson: Dean of the Law Ten Years Later, identify each char- police officer, lead investigator on the School, University of Wyoming, acter and his or her role in events as Matthew Shepard case for Laramie advocate for domestic partner benefits they unfold. Assess the reliability of Police Department Jim Osborne: Friend of Matthew each character in terms of his or her Deb Thomsen: Editor of the Laramie Shepard, Laramie resident role, background and biases. Do you Boomerang, local Laramie newspaper Jim: Laramie resident, guest at dinner agree or disagree with any of your Dennis Shepard: Father of Matthew party character’s stances and opinions? Shepard John Dorst: Professor, University of Explain. Father Roger Schmit: Catholic priest Wyoming, folklorist and Laramie resident at the Catholic Newman Center in Jon Peacock: Matthew Shepard’s Aaron McKinney: Convicted murderer Laramie at the time of Matthew former academic advisor of Matthew Shepard Shepard’s murder Jonas Slonaker: Openly gay Laramie Andy Paris: Member, Tectonic Theatre Gene Pratt: Russell Henderson’s resident Project Mormon home teacher Judy Shepard: Mother of Matthew Ben: Laramie resident, guest at dinner George: Laramie resident, guest at Shepard party dinner party Leigh Fondakowski: Member, Tectonic Beth Loffreda: Professor, University Glen Silber: Producer, 20/20 Theater Project of Wyoming , author of the book Governor Dave Freudenthal: Governor Lucy Thompson: Grandmother of con- Losing Matt Shepard of Wyoming victed murderer Russell Henderson Catherine Connelly: Professor, Greg Pierotti: Member, Tectonic Marge Murray: Mother of police University of Wyoming Theater Project officer Reggie Fluty

6 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue

gina van hoof derer ofMatthewShepard Henderson: Russell Matthew Shepard,gayactivist Romaine Patterson: Friend of Matthew Shepardcase department, investigatoronthe Rob DeBree: Rental caragentinLaramie Matthew Shepardatthefence Reggie Fluty:Police officerwhofound University ofWyoming Rebecca Hilliker: in Wyominglegislature Peterson: Republican Representative legislature Other representativesofWyoming N Tectonic TheaterProject Moisés Kaufman: Fireside Bar Matt Michelson:Former ownerofthe arrator and fortheoutdoors. a passionforpolitics Matthew Shepardhad heriff’s AlbanyCountySheriff’s Theatreprofessor, ArtisticDirector, Convictedmur AUDIENCE GUIDETO - Theater Project advocate fordomestic-partnerbenefits Wyoming, Matthewwasapolitical- and homophobia. Raised in in the national campaign against hate His murder became a rallying point to his death on October 12, 1998. following the brutal beating that led in Laramie, became a national symbol student at the Matthew MATTHEW: THEN… IMPRESSIONS OF at UniversityofWyoming Zackie Salmon: University official Susan wapp: Stephen Belber: Shoppers atastripmallinLaramie R AMIE PROJECT THELA S hepard, a 21-year-old Project skiing. His parents, Judy ing, hunting, fishing and had apassionforcamp- An avid outdoorsman, he to become a diplomat. hoped to enter politics or interest intheater. He science major with an In heart to the family.” help, hishopeand first person to offer his would have been the D to another person,” said “If this had happened compassionate nature: spoke of their son’s and Laramieresident U ennis Laramieresidentand niversity of Wyoming The Laramie Laramie The Member, Tectonic D ennis S , the writers : TENYE ARS LA hepard, “he S hepard, C asper,

TER­ — An Epilogue in theoriginal appears on stage. How is he evoked Matthew as a character who made the decision not to include “We never called him Matthew, Matthew, him called never “We Project Laramie The these impressions of Matthew from information you have? actually. Most of the time we called called we time the of Most actually. him ‘Choo-choo.’ You know, because because know, You ‘Choo-choo.’ him we used to call him Mattchew, and and Mattchew, him call to used we then we just called him Choo-choo. Choo-choo. him called just we then And whenever I think of Matthew, I I Matthew, of think I whenever And your sources? How reliable is the learned about Matthew? What are in the Epilogue? What have you - beam incredible his of think always ing smile. I mean, he’d walk in and and in walk he’d mean, I smile. ing he’d … smile at everyone … he just just he … everyone at smile … he’d made you feel great .... But Matthew Matthew But .... great feel you made definitely had a political side to him him to side political a had definitely - po into get to wanted he mean, I … litical affairs …that’s all his big inter big his all …that’s affairs litical est was, watching CNN and MSNBC, I I MSNBC, and CNN watching was, est mean, that’s the only TV station I ever ever I station TV only the that’s mean, saw his TV tuned in to. He was just just was He to. in tuned TV his saw really smart in political affairs, but but affairs, political in smart really not too smart on like common sense sense common like on smart too not things … So he moves to Laramie Laramie to moves he So … things and goes to school … I did hear from from hear did I … school to goes and Matthew about forty-eight hours hours forty-eight about Matthew before his attack. And he told me that that me told he And attack. his before he had joined the gay and lesbian lesbian and gay the joined had he group on campus, and he said he was was he said he and campus, on group enjoying it. You know, he was getting getting was he know, You it. enjoying ready for Pride Week and what not. not. what and Week Pride for ready I mean, he was totally stoked about about stoked totally was he mean, I school—yeah, he was really happy happy really was he school—yeah, about being there.” there.” being about e s o l c

d n e i r f Laramie Project Laramie —

f o e n i a m o r

w e h t t a m (1998): C onsider

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“Matthew was very shy when he “I cannot imagine anyone who has “Over the years I’ve kind of defined came in. To the point of being some- done more for this community than Matthew in two ways. There’s Matt what mousy, I’d almost say. He was Matthew Shepard.” who I knew and the good friend

having some difficulties adjusting, —f a t h e r r o g e r s c h m i t , that I had, and then there’s Matthew but this was home for him and he c at h o l i c p r i e s t in l a r a m i e Shepard. And Matthew Shepard is made that quite clear. And so his very different from Matt. Matthew mousiness, his shyness gave way to …AND NOW Shepard is this iconic hate crime a person who was excited about this As you watch the Epilogue, make a that has happened in our history, track that he was going to embark distinction between fact on the one and Matthew Shepard is not neces- on. He was just figuring out want- hand and rumor or speculation sarily about Matt, it’s about a com- ing to work on human rights, how on the other. How much do we munity’s reaction, it is about the he was going to do that. And when know about Matthew Shepard from media that followed, it is about the that happens this person begins to the text of the Epilogue? What im- crime, but it’s not about Matt. And bloom a little bit. He was starting to pressions of him as a person do you that was a distinction that I had to say, ‘Wow, there are opportunities glean from the Epilogue? What false make, making my way through this here. There are things I can do in this allegations are levied against him? storm over the years, so that I could world. I can be important.’ And in What questions remain? How can hold on to who Matt was to me per- retrospect—and I can only say this you find answers to those questions? sonally, but also to recognize the im- in retrospect, of course—I think that’s portance of Matthew Shepard, and where he was heading, towards Now read the following quotation that story, and how it was told and human rights. Which only adds to the from Romaine Patterson. Discuss the will continue to be told throughout irony and tragedy of this.” dichotomy she talks about. Why do the years.”

—j o n p e a c o c k , you think the writers chose this text —r o m a i n e pat t e r s o n , m a t t h e w s h e pa r d ’s a c a d e m i c a d v i s o r as the last statement of the Epilogue? c l o s e f r i e n d o f m a t t h e w s h e pa r d . (3) h o o f v a n g i n a

Portraits of Matthew Shepard.

8 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue SCRIPT ANALYSIS: EXCERPT AND ACTIVITIES On the tenth anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death, the Laramie Boomerang published an editorial entitled “Laramie Is a Community, Not a ‘Project.’ ”

1. Read the following excerpt from the Epilogue script about a letter to the editor that Laramie resident Jonas Slonaker wrote to the Boomerang in response to the editorial. Discuss Slonaker’s outrage at the editorial and his thoughts when his rebuttal goes unpublished. You may want to assign roles and act out the scene or stage a reading of these two moments.

2. Visit the Laramie Boomerang’s website at www.laramieboomerang.com and read the five-part series published on the tenth anniversary of Shepard’s death. Click on the Archives link, then enter “Matthew Shepard” in the Advanced Search field and October 8 in the date field.

3. Write your own letter to the editor of the Boomerang or to your local newspaper after seeing the Epilogue. You may choose to focus on the per- formance, to discuss issues raised by the play in general, or to share your thoughts on the way these issues are playing out in your community. Front page of The Laramie Boomerang, November 5, 2008. •• MOMENT: BOOMERANG October 12, 2008: the anniversary BOOMERANG EDITOR #2—“OUR VIEW” of Matthew Shepard’s death. A far smaller number of messages BOOMERANG EDITOR (STANDS) have come from people who wanted NARRATOR The recent news story in The much more exhaustive reporting. Company member Andy Paris Boomerang looking back to the bru- Direct observation and discussion ANDY PARIS tal murder of Matthew Shepard 10 with the wide range of local residents Over the course of our stay in years ago has drawn a wide range tells us that Laramie is like most Laramie, there had been a couple of reactions from this community. communities but more tolerant than of articles printed in the Laramie The biggest reaction has come from most. That doesn’t mean there aren’t Boomerang about the upcoming those who don’t understand why prejudiced or bigoted people here. anniversary of Matthew’s death. this anniversary qualifies as news. There are. But those people don’t These were the articles that the edi- Some callers have requested that define Laramie, and it is infuriating tor Deb Thomsen had mentioned to their paper delivery be held during for those of us who consider this our Moisés. This morning, I got a call the week that the series of stories home to be labeled because of the ac- from Jonas Slonaker. And he said, was being published. Others have tions of a few questionable characters. JONAS SLONAKER accepted that the local newspaper That label is particularly galling Did you see the paper today? had to do a story about the anni- in this case because the crime in You’ve got to read the editorial. versary given the national notoriety question has been portrayed in the You’re not going to believe it, it’s but wished that the coverage could national media as a homophobic called: “Our View. Laramie is a have been less detailed and dis- attack and as a hate crime because community, not a ‘project.’” played more discreetly. Matthew Shepard was homosexual. But no one can know that motiva- NARRATOR JONAS SLONAKER tion except for the two men who An excerpt from an editorial written Can you believe that? in the Laramie Boomerang, Sunday, committed the crime. 9 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue JONAS SLONAKER Andy, they had a trial and it was es- tablished as a hate crime. That’s why •• they had a trial. That’s what a trial is MOMENT: BOOMERANG for, so that we can learn these things! #3—THE STORY WE’VE

s l o n a k e r TOLD OURSELVES BOOMERANG EDITOR j o n a s Police records certainly seem to JONAS SLONAKER indicate that this was a robbery c o u rt e s y I waited all week for the Laramie Jonas Slonaker that went very bad. Boomerang to print my letter. JONAS SLONAKER NARRATOR What police records are they refer- Jonas Slonaker. ring to? A robbery? I tie you up JONAS SLONAKER and smash your head in because I And it finally got to the nextS unday want to rob you? It’s absurd! And and it never appeared. And there was this is Laramie’s main newspaper. a letter from a guy lamenting the fact BOOMERANG EDITOR that not enough people are coming The Matthew Shepard But those who wanted to label to the football games and I was like, Laramie as a bigoted town in the ‘Well, jeez, there’s plenty of room for “murder flies in the face of who Wild West didn’t let the facts get my letter (fighting tears); they just in the way of their stories. So who didn’t do it. And I said to my partner we are, the story we’ve told then is guilty of intolerance and Bill, we’re in this little world where ev- perpetuating stereotypes? (SITS) erything’s OK like in our neighborhood ourselves, and so you’ve either got JONAS SLONAKER (Angry) and in our jobs, but there’s all these A robbery gone bad over drugs, I people around us that are thinkin’ this to radically adjust your story or mean, what? It’s just crazy. And shit. And I had to go out to the prairie, that’s denial. That’s some kind of I drove out and screamed until my you’ve got to throw out the data. massive denial. throat hurt. I just had to get it out of me. It really broke my spirit when they And so far what we’ve done is When I saw this I was so furious and so insane I wanted to leave Laramie. refused to print my letter. What am I gonna do with this? You know, what ANDY PARIS throw out the data. AM I gonna do with this? Jonas wrote a letter to the editor. JEFFREY LOCKWOOD —j e f” f r e y l o c k w o o d JONAS SLONAKER (STANDS) l a r a m i e r e s i d e n t Laramie had this moment. “Many citizens of Laramie want to move on, but denial isn’t the NARRATOR best way to accomplish that. Jeffrey Lockwood. There is no disgrace for Laramie JEFFREY LOCKWOOD in acknowledging that part or all There was a moment of self-reflec- of the motivation in the murder of tion, but it was just too frightening. Matthew Shepard was homophobia. The Matthew Shepard murder flies NO, the crime certainly does not in the face of who we are, the story define Laramie. How we react to we’ve told ourselves, and so you’ve the crime, how we talk about it, and either got to radically adjust your if we do or don’t do anything to pre- story or you’ve got to throw out the vent this from happening again does data. And so far what we’ve done is define Laramie.” S( ITS) throw out the data.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 10 The Big Picture: synthesizing what you have seen

Downtown LARAMIE BY NIGHT: A city in motion.

Consider these “big-picture” guilt, denial and forgiveness play or inaccurately) the story of Matthew themes, motifs and questions before in various characters’ willingness Shepard? What role does it continue or after you view the Epilogue. to remember or to forget—or to to play? What is the responsibility Each of the topics below can form remember selectively? of the media in telling stories such the basis of a class discussion or as Matthew Shepard’s that have na- writing project. Discuss the role of folklore in soci- tional and international impact? ety. As audience members, how can How has the story of Matthew we distinguish between fact, fiction, Discuss the boundaries of friend- Shepard’s death changed over time? speculation and rumor in the play? ship when one friend leads another What factors have contributed to What perspective does folklorist down a dangerous path. What does this shift? What is “revisionist John Dorst offer on these questions it mean to be a leader? A follower? history”? How and why has the within the Epilogue? At what point do you risk a friend- history of Shepard’s death been ship to obey your own conscience? rewritten over time? What do you see as the pros and cons of theater or literature based What does the play say about Does Laramie have the right to be on history? Must everything be the American ideal of “liberty “left alone” and to “move on” as a “true” within a piece drawn from and justice for all”? How close community, as some characters put documentary elements? is Laramie—and the nation as a it? What is the line between forget- whole—to achieving this ideal? ting, remembering and moving on? What role has the media played in Are we closer now than we were in What roles do shame, remorse, creating and conveying (accurately 1998? Explain.

11 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue Audience guide• p art 4: Lessons from Laramie

THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER AN EPILOGUE o t o h p :

m i t

t u n s e h c

Inside This Guide Illuminating a Complex Story: ‘Our Most Important Teachers’: Examining the Inter­ Ambitious Questions, Inspiring Answers views with Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney . .8 in a Groundbreaking Play ...... 2 Taking Responsibility: Standing Up To Hate From Hate to Hope: and Hate Crimes ...... 10 The Legacy of Matthew Shepard ...... 3 Digging Deeper: Additional Activities The Process of Change: One Writer’s Observations . . 6 and Explorations ...... 11

Signposts of Change: Visible and Invisible Markers . 13.

Tectonic Theater Project gratefully acknowledges the Rockefeller Foundation, Time Warner and HBO for their generous support of this Audience Guide. TECTONIC THEATER PROJECT illuminating a complex story: Ambitious Questions, Inspiring Answers in a Groundbreaking Play

history, both on an individual level and on a societal level. The Epilogue aims to examine how our own per- sonal narratives and the narratives of our communities get constructed.

“From a theatrical perspective, we wanted to participate in this great experiment reminiscent of The Federal Theater and Hallie Flanagan. REMEMBERING MATTHEW: Laramie residents They used to perform the same play mourned Matthew Shepard at a candlelight vigil, in dozens of theaters across the coun- depicted here in a production of The Laramie Project a g o s t i n o ’ d at Gettysburg Stage in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. try simultaneously. This nationwide b i l l performance event is a nod to that This is the fourth installment in a In 2008, members of Tectonic period. But also an event that poses four-part Audience Guide to The Theater Company went back to the question, ‘Can theater play a role in Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. Laramie to answer several ambitious the national dialogue in this manner?’ Be sure to review the previous questions. To what extent did they three installments for additional succeed in finding answers to these “The murder of Matthew Shepard context, discussion questions and questions? And what was most sur- had such seismic impact on this small activities. The guide—available prising about what they discovered? town in America that the company at www.laramieproject.org in pdf wanted to try to observe what, if any, format—is organized as follows: In a project overview, Tectonic were the long-lasting effects of such Part 1: stated: “The Epilogue will look at a crime. What does a town look like Preparing To See the Epilogue what has and has not changed in 10 years after an episode of this mag- Laramie since Matthew Shepard’s nitude? Have the attitudes changed? Part 2: Issues and Themes in Focus 1998 murder. It will also explore The mythologies? Has change how people construct stories and tell occurred that’s concrete and lasting?” Part 3: Viewing and Analyzing the Epilogue after laramie: General Questions And themes to discuss post-performance The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later writers Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, • In your own words, recount what happens in the play. Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris • Brainstorm your own list of themes raised in the play. and Stephen Belber dramaturg Jimmy Maize • What was most moving to you? Did anything make you cry or laugh out loud?

Audience Guide to The Laramie Project: • What surprised you most? Ten Years Later writers Bennett Singer and • What, if anything, confused you? Ellen Gordon Reeves design ShapiroDesign • What questions would you ask the actors if you could? The director? The writers? Tectonic Theater Project artistic director Moisés Kaufman • If you could interview the characters (the real people), what would you ask? executive director Greg Reiner • Which theatrical aspects of the production were most memorable? Why?

2 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue From Hate to Hope: The Legacy of Matthew Shepard M artiNa n ette n / New L ight M e d ia

ANGEL ACTION: Romaine Patterson, a close friend of Matthew Shepard, organized a series of peaceful demonstrations against anti-gay protesters.

The House of Representatives’ passage tolerance and acceptance? Find You know where I started of the Matthew Shepard Act on dictionary definitions of the two Thursday, October 8, 2009—just terms and discuss. Name some realizing“ what a hate crime was, four days before the 11th anniver- things (concrete and abstract) that sary of Matthew Shepard’s untimely you tolerate and some that you was when gay kids were moving out death—is but one example of the accept. How can you move from important and powerful legacy tolerance to acceptance? Should of town after this happened…. Matthew Shepard has left behind. you? Are there circumstances under which it might be dangerous to move These kids were dropping out of In his introduction to the original from tolerance to acceptance? Laramie Project, playwright school—not just kids, but adults Moisés Kaufman notes that in the Ten years later, how has this con- immediate aftermath of Matthew versation evolved? Turn to pages 4 too—and leaving Laramie because Shepard’s brutal murder, and 5 and consider the interview excerpts, “outtakes” and diary of what happened to Matt. “[T]he nation launched into a entries about realizations and new dialogue that brought to the surface ways of thinking prompted by the And that fear, I started realizing— how we think and talk about homo- tragedy. How has each individual sexuality, sexual politics, education, quoted here changed? How has that’s terroristic. class, violence, privileges and rights, seeing the performance changed and the difference between tolerance your thinking? After viewing the —”d a v e o’m a l l e y , and acceptance.” Epilogue, what other concrete l e a d investigator o n t h e changes can you point to within the m a t t h e w s h e pa r d c a s e What does Kaufman mean when he Laramie community—in people, talks about the difference between places and institutions?

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 3 A Community Reflects

Jabbing Our Conscience

“I think Matthew’s legacy is alert- ing people to how sinful so much of media frenzy: Both The Laramie Project our society’s attitude is toward peo- and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later ple who are different. Matthew sort chronicle the media’s role in constructing the story of Matthew Shepard’s death. of jabs the conscience of our society. And says: ‘Are you a bigot? Are you 180 Degrees from precluding a really fine group of prejudiced? Are you biased?’ individuals from friendship. Why Then to Now does it take a young man like Matt “… I’m much more courageous now getting killed for me to start losing than I was before Matthew. Matter my ignorance? You know? Because of fact, I wouldn’t have been saying that’s what it took. to you some of the things I am say- ing today if it wasn’t for Matthew “You know where I started realizing Shepard. I talk about sexual identi- what a hate crime was, was when ty a lot more now. I don’t talk about gay kids were moving out of town it every Sunday, but I do talk about after this happened, you know? … it whenever the scriptures enable it I mean people get killed in liquor to happen. store robberies all the time, [and] I “You know, quite frankly before don’t think twice about going in and “As a matter of fact, just the other all of this happened, that’s how I buying a six-pack of beer. But these Sunday, I said, ‘You know, what if believed, pretty homophobic. And as kids were dropping out of school— you knew the person next to you a result of what happened to Matt, I not just kids, but adults too—and was gay? Would you welcome them was thrust into a situation where I leaving Laramie because of what into our community as long as they had to interact with the gay commu- happened to Matt. And that fear, I sit in the back or a safe distance? nity. And from where I was then to started realizing—that’s terroristic. Or would you say, I welcome you where my mind lays and my heart And that’s what a hate crime does into our pew, come, come.’ ” lays now, is 180 degrees. What I to a community.” —f a t h e r r o g e r s c h m i t , learned real quickly is that what I —d a v e o’m a l l e y , l e a d investigator c at h o l i c p r i e s t in l a r a m i e a t t h e had been doing over my whole life is o n t h e s h e pa r d c a s e , n o w r e t i r e d t i m e o f m a t t h e w s h e pa r d ’s m u r d e r

4 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue Shock and Awe recognize: I may be tired, and I may “But my daughter reported them. not want to talk about Matthew any My daughter—who is the daughter more, but by talking about Matthew, of an angel—reported them. Ten good things happen, good change years ago when I stood as an angel is happening.” against the hatred of , I

—r o m a i n e pat t e r s o n , f r i e n d o f did it for my daughter, in honor of m a t t h e w s h e pa r d , a c t i v i s t , r a d i o h o s t my daughter. I needed my daughter to be raised in a world without Daughter of an Angel hate; I needed to know that young men can grow up and young women can grow up and be treated safely.

“I’ve really come to understand the “And I am very proud of her for kind of power that my voice carries. saying, ‘We’ve got to report this,’ In The Laramie Project I said that I and she took it right to the princi- wanted to be an activist and I went pal and the principal pulled those to work for the Gay and Lesbian boys right in. This was something Alliance Against Defamation that was taken very seriously in (GLAAD), and there I got a sense Laramie. Nobody would ever say of what it was like to work for a now, ‘Boys will be boys.’”

national activist organization. Now I “The change here in Laramie, I —n i k k i e l d e r , lecture at schools and colleges. And I would say, really happened when l a r a m i e h i g h s c h o o l t e a c h e r a n d am forever in shock and awe when I the kids, the next generation, participant in a n g e l a c t i o n ” go to a high school today and I see couldn’t remember what happened kids who were mere children when directly any more. The kids who For Discussion Matthew died and there is this kind were in junior high or in later 1. Using the quotations presented of hope—these kids have the deter- elementary school when Matt was here as a starting point, discuss mination to make sure this doesn’t killed, they still had a pretty good the ways in which Matthew happen again. And they want to cre- connection with the experience. But Shepard’s death has changed ate change and they feel empowered. the kids who were my daughter’s people, places and institutions. So it may not be the adults that are age at the time, in pre-school, 2. According to the Epilogue, which necessarily the ones who are benefit- or even younger, they don’t have people, institutions and practices ing from Matthew’s story but it’s that connection. have been resistant to change? these younger generations. Ten years 3. How do characters in The Laramie later, I can honestly tell you, there “My oldest daughter is 15 now, Project: Ten Years Later stand are times that I wish I wasn’t the and she has this wonderful friend, up to hatred, intolerance and ‘friend of Matthew Shepard’—I wish this boy, and they were on the bus violence? Who strikes you as most I could just be Romaine again, but together, and these kids say to and least accepting? Who strikes that Romaine is long gone and this is her friend, ‘Oh we should just tie you as most courageous? Why? reality. And you know, even when I’m you to a fence on the outskirts of 4. Who is Dave O’Malley and how the most tired and the most fed up of town.’ These boys said that to this does he define hate crimes? What dealing with it, I also sit down and other boy ... is your response to this definition?

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 5 THE PROCESS OF Change: ONE WRITER’S observations

Greg Pierotti, a member of Tectonic September 2008 Theater Project and one of the writers of The Laramie Project: Ten My thoughts as I fly back from Laramie. Years Later, shared the following journal entry in which he reflects on I was in Laramie in June just visiting with Beth Loffreda and a few his return to Laramie in 2008 and other folks. This was before the Epilogue project started. During that on the process of bringing about visit, I got a haircut at the barbershop on Grand and Fourth Street. Beth social change. came with me, and the barber kept referring to us as boyfriend and girlfriend. I did not correct him.

At a certain point in his banter, he said Laramie had a reputation among outsiders. I was seized with anxiety thinking I could not let inaccuracies about Matthew’s story pass as easily as those about my own sexuality. But he moved on without mentioning Matt.

When we left the barbershop, Beth (who cares so much about the story and has lived here the whole time) told me she had had the same fear. She also told me that now many in Laramie had reverted to misunderstanding the event as a drug deal gone bad. I was appalled.

In the Epilogue, we knew we wanted to focus in large part on how Greg Pierotti Laramie and the people of Laramie have changed. A few weeks before going to Laramie, I interviewed Father Roger and was amazed by how little he’d changed. He was as passionate and vocal about the human It occurred to me during rights and dignity of “our gay brothers and sisters” as he was when we first met him. I remember as I spoke to him being worried that he wasn’t that“ walk that in many ways I had having enough of a dramatic arc for our Epilogue. I also remember being sort of horrified by the fact that I was thinking such a thought …. changed very little—still feeling I had my interview with Jonas [Slonaker]. At the time of the murder, he deeply connected to Matt, deep was accidentally outed without his permission by a reporter in the local news. The night of the Unitarian vigil, he met Bill and they fell in love. grief for his murder, and for the They’ve been together 10 years. And they have consciously strived in all that time to be out in every area of their lives. When I first met Jonas, emotional and violent abuse that has he was quite bitter about the homophobia that he felt existed in Laramie and Wyoming. But now he is relaxed and happy. It seemed to me quite fallen on me and millions of others human and natural that he would be happier after finding a supportive and loving relationship and no longer felt he needed to pretend he was just because we are gay. someone he was not in any arena of his life.

—g r” e g p i e r o t t i , The irony was so apparent to me. The homophobic factions in mainstream m e m b e r o f t h e l a r a m i e p r o j e c t society frown upon gay people for lacking substance, lacking the ability to writing t e a m commit, for being promiscuous, not having “values”—and then deny us the

6 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue stabilizing influence of straight society’s institutions and all the privileges that accompany them. Then when people like Jonas and Bill defy the odds and find commitment and stability in the face of all this hatred and institutionalized homophobia, it turns out that they respond in the same way that many straight people do, and better than a lot. Bill and Jonas are flourishing….

From there I tried a few man-on-the-street interviews. Nobody I talked to was thinking about the anniversary at all. This was definitely a change from last time we were here for the work, when nobody was talking about anything else. The folks I talked to weren’t saying it was a hate crime, they weren’t saying it was a drug deal. They just weren’t saying anything about it at all.

After a few of these attempts, I tried to find where the fence had been. I wandered in the bright prairie but found nothing. It occurred Cover of The Laramie Project DVD to me, though, during that walk that in many ways I had changed very little—still feeling deeply connected to Matt, deep grief for his murder, and for the emotional and violent abuse that has fallen on me and millions For Discussion of others just because we are gay…. 1. Who is Greg Pierotti and what changes and transformations does Finally I interviewed Beth and then I interviewed Rob Debree of the he chronicle in this journal entry? Sheriff’s department. These two people have been working hard on a regular Of these observations, which do basis to create change and a better environment for gay people—Beth at you find most striking? Why? the University and Rob in the Sheriff’s office. It occurred to me that their 2. Why do you think Pierotti chose deep commitment to the laborious and often boring daily work of creating not to let the barber know that social and political change correlated directly to the depth with which he is gay? How does Pierotti they were confronted by Matt’s suffering and the suffering of his friends describe his personal connection and community. When we are touched by pain, we develop compassion and to Matthew Shepard? connect with others. When we stay comfortable and keep suffering at a 3. Why was Pierotti “sort of hor- distance, it is easy to become complacent, apathetic and disinterested. rified” at his reaction to the conversation he had with Father It occurs to me that political change is difficult because it is made Roger? What tensions does this by individual commitment to change and a willingness to put personal journal entry reveal between comfort aside for the happiness of others. The fact that political change Greg Pierotti as an artist and as has not yet happened in Laramie shouldn’t be seen as particularly a person? damning of the town, but more as indicative of the very universal habits 4. What does Pierotti see as of laziness and commitment to comfort that most of us human beings the connection between being struggle with. Individual change and the individual commitment to put touched by pain and engaging personal comfort aside to help others are rare. If we want change, we in efforts to bring about social each have to dig deep and make a private commitment to be bored, tired, change? Have you had a per- frustrated and never give up. Without at least a small group of people sonal experience that led you to making this daily commitment, it is going to be a very long, slow road. take political action? Discuss.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 7 ‘Our Most Important Teachers’: Examining the Interviews with Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney

Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney—the Laramie residents convicted of murdering Matthew Shepard—were not interviewed for the original Laramie Project, though statements they made to the police and in court are quoted in the play. Near the end of The Laramie Project, Father Roger Schmit declares:

“I think right now our most important teachers must be Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney. They have to be our teachers. How did you learn? What did we as a society do to teach you that?”

For The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, Stephen Belber and Greg Pierotti conducted a series of interviews with Henderson and McKinney, respectively.

Some months after Stephen Belber spoke with Russell Henderson’s grand- mother and wrote to him at her advice, he received this reply: TEN YEARS LATER: Russell Henderson, left, and Aaron McKinney (pictured here in 1998) agreed to be interviewed by members of Tectonic Theater Project for the Epilogue.

Dear Mr. Belber,

I got your letter and I’ve considered I do have remorse, your proposal to talk with me and I’ve decided that I will do it. but like I said, for all the “ As you know, I’ve been reluctant to talk to anyone. But I think if there is wrong reasons. something I might say that will help someone else to understand or to maybe help —”a a r o n mck i n n e y , them not make the same mistakes I did, then in a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h it will be worth it. t e c t o n i c t h e at e r c o m pa n y m e m b e r g r e g p i e r o t t i I must admit that I’m not the best with words so I don’t know how much I will be able to help but I will tell you that I I just wish I could ... will be honest with you .... “change what I did. I haven’t read or seen the play but maybe once you finish this new part of it —r u s s e” l l h e n d e r s o n , you could send me a copy of it. in a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h t e c t o n i c t h e at e r c o m pa n y Respectfully, m e m b e r s t e p h e n b e l b e r Russell

8 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue RUSSELL HENDERSON AARON MCKINNEY there, people’ll stab you in the back for a nickel bag. Besides, I am a The following excerpts come from When Greg Pierotti asks for Father criminal. I should be around crimi- Stephen Belber’s interview with Roger’s help in convincing Aaron nals. I always was drawn that way… Russell Henderson: McKinney to agree to an interview, I remember crawling through people’s Father Roger offers this advice: doggie doors when I was eight years Russell Henderson: I was one of those old to steal…. I don’t know why, but guys who was brought up with values, but Father Roger: I think Aaron is not I was always like this. Nature trumps I actually believed them. I believed the finished finalizing his experience of nurture. values, I was raised not to hurt people remorse. And remorse is something we and I agreed. ALL need to think about. So you ask Like my brother’s not like me at all. him about that. And, Greg, do him Works hard, going to school. He’s a Stephen Belber: So why’d you go justice …You get to know him, Greg. really good kid; he definitely is a totally along with Aaron that night? Let him teach you what it’s like to be different kind of person than me … So Aaron McKinney, okay? like they say … nature trumps nurture. Russell Henderson: At first I told Aaron I didn’t want to. I kept saying Below is an excerpt from Greg FOR DISCUSSION no. But he kept wanting to, so finally I Pierotti’s interview with Aaron 1. How did you feel when McKinney just went along … I guess I’m more of McKinney: asks, “I said that?” when he a follower. And he’s a leader. So I just hears parts of the trial tran- went along …. Let’s just say I tried to Greg Pierotti: And what if Father Roger script? How does he describe stop him but I didn’t try enough. You were here with us. Could you look him in Russell Henderson? know what I mean? It’s mostly just, you the eye and honestly tell him you don’t 2. Why does McKinney feel he is know, shame. That I didn’t do more … feel remorse for Matt? “better off in [prison]”? What I wish I’d have stopped him. I made the does he mean when he says that wrong choice to go along with it from Aaron McKinney: I’d have to. I would “nature trumps nurture”? Do the beginning; I made the wrong choice never wanna have to do that. You know you agree? to tie him up, I made the wrong choice how I feel about Father Roger. But I 3. For what does McKinney express not to get help. I’ve thought a lot about couldn’t look him in the eye and not … remorse? How does he explain it, about every single thing I did; and I I’d have to tell the truth. I do have his lack of remorse for killing just wish I could ... change what I did. remorse, but like I said, for all the wrong Shepard? How does his sense reasons. For my dad. For ending up in of guilt and remorse differ from FOR DISCUSSION here. For getting Russ stuck in here. that of Henderson? 1. How does Russell Henderson talk 4. Why does McKinney consider about the choices he made on Greg Pierotti: But you think those are himself “the poster child for the night of Matthew Shepard’s the wrong reasons? hate-crime murders”? What beating? What does he wish he is your reaction to his state- had done differently? Aaron McKinney: If I could go back ment that “[Matthew] needed 2. What do we learn about and not be the one who killed him I killin’”? Henderson’s background from his would .… But I am better off in here, 5. In what ways are Henderson and “victim empathy” letter? How myself. I’m doin’ way better in here McKinney our “most important does he say he has changed since than I ever was out there. I met guys teachers”? What lessons have the killing? Do you believe him? in here with a real sense of honor. Out you learned from them?

9 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue Taking Responsibility: Standing Up To Hate and Hate Crimes z ak Ju rek D u rc

Activities and have in common with the murder investigations of Matthew Shepard? How did It’s hard when you’re very 1. Taking a stand. Have you each community respond? been in a situation in which 4. A mother’s mission. “I’m just ashamed“ of yourself to stand up you needed to stand up against doing … what a mother does intolerance, bigotry, hate or a when you hurt her children. I and say, ‘Yeah, we screwed up.’ hate crime? What did you do and don’t think I’ve done anything say? What made it hard? What spectacular,” says Matthew Instead we start making excuses, made it easy? Describe your Shepard’s mother Judy. Find experience in writing. out more about Judy Shepard’s and pointing the blame at somebody 2. Countering intolerance. With work on behalf of a national your class or community, come up hate-crimes law. Consult her new else or others—we do that as with your own guidelines for deal- book, The Meaning of Matthew, ing with bullying, hate speech, in- as well as online resources in your individuals, we do it as a community, tolerance and/or violence. Consider research. Do you agree with her language and jokes that are harm- assessment that “I really haven’t we do it as a nation. And that’s what ful and hurtful. As a starting point, accomplished anything yet, other see the worksheet entitled “Create than maybe talk to people around I think we’ve done. Your Own Laramie Project” on the country about losing my son”? page 3 of the teacher’s guide on- 5. Polling your community. In —r e g g i e f l u t y ,” l a r a m i e p o l i c e line at www.timeclassroom.com/ a TIME/CNN poll conducted in o f f i c e r w h o f o u n d m a t t h e w laramie. Review and expand the 1998, 68% of Americans said an s h e pa r d t i e d t o t h e f e n c e list of steps you can take to pro- attack like the one on Matthew mote understanding and improve Shepard could happen in their your community. community. Design and conduct 3. Investigating hate. Learn your own survey to answer this more about the 1993 killing of question for your community and, Brandon Teena in Nebraska; the more generally, to assess local 1998 dragging death of James residents’ views on lesbian and gay Byrd in Jasper, Texas; or a hate civil rights. Share your findings and crime that occurred in your own suggestions for creating a hate-free state. What do these incidents community with local media.

AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER­—An Epilogue 10 Digging Deeper: Additional Activities and explorations

ONE OBSERVER’S VIEW: Laramie is “more tolerant than most [communities],” says Deb Thomsen, editor of the Laramie Boomerang.

CONNECTING TO THE ISSUES 2. The climate in your your school or in your com- 1. The nature of rumor. John community. “I would be munity? What would happen if Dorst, the folklorist featured in afraid to walk down the street a same-sex couple held hands the Epilogue, says: “People will and display any sort of affec- on your campus or attended a back away very quickly if they’re tion for my [female] partner. school dance? How are people putting forward a rumor type You don’t do that here in treated who are considered thing and you question it further. Laramie,” says Zackie Salmon “different” in any way? What When you do push back, you in The Laramie Project. How concrete steps can you propose are violating the ‘convention of are gay, lesbian, bisexual and to make your campus or com- rumor.’ People inevitably back transgender people treated at munity a safer place? away. The convention is that you DON’T contend it. That’s one of the reasons that it can circulate as A Look in the Mirror sort of this vague, ‘I don’t know where I heard this.’ It’s just sort of It takes effort to see our own as clearly as others do. Human- in the air. It’s just around. That’s rights experts recommend starting with our speech and thought patterns. the nature of rumor.” Discuss a Am I quick to label “rednecks” or “liberals”? Do I tell gay jokes? Am I rumor that has surfaced and cir- careless with gender descriptions? culated in your community. Do you Here are some other questions to ask yourself: How wide is my circle of know how it originated? How did friends? How diverse is my holiday card list? How integrated is my neigh- it grow? Has it been contended? borhood? Why is that? Do I belong to clubs that exclude? How often am I Resolved? Describe a time you in the minority? Do I have the courage to ask a friend not to tell a sexist, have been either the originator, the racist or homophobic joke in my presence? How can I go out of my way to disseminator, the contender or the know people who are different? object of a rumor. —ADAPTED FROM TOLERANCE.ORG

11 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue

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12 - SIGNPOSTS OF CHANGE: VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE MARKERS DAVE O’MALLEY, LEAD INVESTIGATOR ON THE SHEPARD CASE: This is a photograph of the fence that my son took, and some people had been out and kind of made a little memorial there and ... I don’t know how many people came to town when I was still working at the police department to visit the fence. But I remember one older man—spent thirty years in the military— had to be in the closet through the whole thing. And Matt’s death had a huge im- pact on him. He was from Vermont and SYMBOLIC MEANING: one day he just showed up, and I took him

v e o ’ malley Dave O’Malley’s son took this photo of the fence out to the fence. I did that with several where Matthew Shepard people; it was important for them. It was was found. d a co u rtesy important enough for them to come all Of all the symbols related to the story the way to Laramie to see it! You know? of Matthew Shepard, the fence is I remember one older arguably the most iconic. Review page FOR DISCUSSION 6 of Part 1 of the Audience Guide, 1. Apart from the fence, what other “man—spent thirty years in the which presents the section of the “visible markers” of the tragedy Epilogue script in which we first learn have disappeared? military—had to be in the closet that the fence has been taken down. 2. What markers of change, both What does its disappearance mean tangible and intangible, have through the whole thing. And Matt’s to Laramie’s consideration of its past appeared in Laramie? and conception of its future? Three 3. What changes do you predict death had a huge impact on him … participants in The Laramie Project: will occur in Laramie over the Ten Years Later shared their thoughts. next decade? and one day he just showed up, and I COMPANY MEMBER ANDY PARIS: Revelations took him out to the fence. We heard that when they took the fence down, the pieces were incorporated into In his introduction to The Laramie —DAVE O”’MALLEY, other fences. So no one knows where the Project in 2002, Moisés Kaufman wrote: LEAD INVESTIGATOR ON THE original pieces are. “The experience of working on MATTHEW SHEPARD CASE The Laramie Project has been LARAMIE RESIDENT JONAS one of great sadness, great SLONAKER: I remembered where the beauty and, perhaps more place was and I would still go back, importantly, great revelations and it’s ... yeah. The fence is gone. Ten —about our nation, about our years later and the fence is gone .... ideas and about ourselves.” and ten years of snow and rain have After seeing the Epilogue, what washed through there. I mean it’s just a revelations have you had about place, in the end I guess. And I decided our nation and its ideas—and not to go any more. I had to let it go. about yourself?

13 AUDIENCE GUIDE TO THE LARAMIE PROJECT: TEN YEARS LATER—An Epilogue