Brewery Arts Center presents 'Laramie Project'

Special to The R-C

The Brewery Arts Center and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays present "The Laramie Project," opening April 16 at the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St., Carson City.

The play focuses on the town of Laramie, Wyo., in the wake of a horrific crime when 21-year-old gay college student Matthew Shepard was beaten, tied to a fence and left to die in 1998. The crime made national headlines and thrust the small town into an unwanted spotlight.

The Tony Award-winning stage production was created by the Tectonic Theater Group, went to Laramie the year after the crime to conduct hundreds of interviews with residents and others close to the story. The town was deeply divided, but through the anger, pain and sadness came hope and new optimism for the future.

"The Laramie Project" director Andie Anderson chose this play because she feels it will touch the community in ways most plays cannot. "It is the story of a community affected by tragedy, and because Laramie, Wyo., is similar to Carson City demographically, socially and geographically, I think our residents will relate to the story. This could be any small town in America."

The multimedia performance is a first for the Brewery Arts Center. The stage play includes live acting and video performances across four screens. The production is a collaboration between the Brewery Arts Center Perform Arts Collaborative, the Northern Nevada Film Factory, the Filmmaking and Animators Club, and the technical production staff of the BAC.

"The Northern Nevada Film Factory is delighted to be a part of such a significant production. Video is one of the best mediums to deliver a story," said special projects consultant Donna Walden who heads the filmmaking club.

Executive director John Procaccini feels the play has an important message and is worthy of a major commitment. "We feel the subject matter is significant and the Brewery Arts Center is stepping up and producing a stunning multimedia event as well as committing a great number of resources to the project," Procaccini said.

The local chapter of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays sponsors the performance. Chapter president Rebecca Palmer said the play has an important message, "while the play stems from a horrific crime, it's also a story of hope." She adds that it's also relevant to our times "in this day of deep political and social divides it's important that we all practice tolerance and see all people as humans to be valued."

PFLAG is a national nonprofit organization has chapters nationwide, including Carson City. PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through support to cope with an adverse society, education to enlighten an ill-informed public, and advocacy to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. PFLAG members will be at all of the performances to hand out information and answer questions. Information on PFLAG, Rebecca Palmer, (775) 303-8031 or www.pflag.org

The Brewery Arts Center performing and visual arts center is a nonprofit, member-funded center committed to presenting and promoting art, arts programming and cultural events to the residents of Carson City and surrounding area.

Performances of The Laramie Project are 7:30 p.m. April 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and May 1 at the Brewery Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased at the BAC, at 883-1976 or www.breweryarts.org