The ETSU Patchwork Players performed the emotionally charged Laramie Project Dec. 2 and 3 in the Bud Frank Theatre.
The cast included Travis Eisenbise, Erin Estep, Katie Harrison, Josh Hite, Mikal Joplin, Julie Roberts, Rebecca Schaffer, Erin Smith and Matt Weedman. The play was directed by Carrie Smith.
The Laramie Project was inspired by the events that took place in the small rural town of Laramie, Wyo., where Matthew Shepherd was brutally murdered.
Shepherd was a young homosexual whose death shook the nation in 1998.
His tragic death began the long fight against hate crimes.
The play was told through the interviews of Moises Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project conducted in the town of Laramie.
The Laramie Project began the account with the lifestyle and everyday actions of Shepherd’s life.
The play then moved to the story of young Laramie who found Shepherd savagely beaten and bound to a fence.
The play included the doctor’s updates of Shepherd’s condition and finally his funeral and the protests that happened along with it. It also included the tear-jerking speech given by Shepherd’s father forgiving the accused.
The dialogue was compiled of actual quotes from people involved in the case and residents of the town.
“The hardest part of this play was to know that these events actually happened,” said Estep. “These were real living people. It was hard not to be emotional.”
Members of the cast all share the sentiment that it was a story that needed to be told in our region. All say they would love to keep the show running for a longer time.
“I wish more people had gotten to see the show,” said Schaffer. “I wanted to do it for the whole week. The message is very important.”
The show is an emotional rollercoaster with cast members delivering lines that at times evoked a chuckle and at others produced tears from the audience.
“It was difficult to deliver lines that I really don’t believe in,” said Hite referring to his character’s numerous “faggot” comments.
“As I was researching my character I couldn’t believe what I saw,” said Joplin, as he explained the web site he researched.
This web site is sponsored by Fred Phelps who protested at Shepherd’s funeral. “This (Shepherd’s murder) could easily happen in our area. It was an important show for our times.”
Awareness and prevention was the goal of the Patchwork Players.
“I have never been so proud of anything in my life,” said Estep.
Look for more great things from the Patchwork Players and the division of theatre coming up in the spring semester.

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