Iconic, exotic and ordinary: AWT remembers Matthew Shepard
The Actors’ Workshop Theatre’s (AWT) upcoming production of The Laramie Project centres around the aftermath of a hate crime.
On Oct. 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard, an openly gay student from the University of Wyoming, was kidnapped from a bar by two locals, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, before being robbed, savagely beaten, and tied to a fence in near-freezing temperatures on the outskirts of Laramie.
He was discovered the following morning by a cyclist, who first mistook Shepard for a scarecrow or Halloween decoration. He was badly injured, and being 5’2 and 100 lbs., he was then mistaken by the police for a child. His breathing was shallow, and his face was obscured by dried blood, with the exception of two tear streaks that ran through the red down his cheeks.
Shepard never regained consciousness. He died on Oct. 12, 1998.
He was 21 years old.
Widely covered in the news, this crime conjured a global outpouring of love, sorrow and despair, and in equal measure, venom and vitriol from extreme right-wing and religious groups. In the days leading up to and after Shepard’s death, there were massive vigils with celebrity speakers, press conferences, protests and counterprotests. It also captured the attention of playwright Moises Kaufman, founder of the Tectonic Theatre group. In the aftermath of the murder, the group conducted 200 interviews in Laramie, which developed into The Laramie Project.
Now, over 25 years after its premiere, the play remains deeply poignant and painfully relevant.
Matt Shepard at home circa 1997.
Capturing a complex narrative
Director Robin Nichol, associate professor and chair of TRU’s Department of Literatures, Languages, and Performing Arts, said, “I’ve always known about this play, and planned on directing it sometime, but from my white cis female perspective, I thought it was getting dated because there’s been so much progress and attitudes have changed so much.”
“Now it’s very clear to me that this battle is far from over.”
Derek Rein, TRU alum and actor in The Laramie Project, first staged the play in Kamloops with co-producer Samantha MacDonald in 2002, a mere two years after the Tectonic Theatre premiere.
Rein has since produced two stage readings of the play on the 10- and 20-year anniversaries of Shepard’s death, involving local actors and community members.
“The play was staged in association with Kamloops Pride, which was then known as GALA Kamloops. The production really resonated with audiences, the cast and the crew. Laramie helped us realize the impact theatre has on a community and was the genesis of Project X Theatre,” Rein said.
“Matthew Shepard’s story intersects with hatred, homophobia, human rights – but also, incredible bravery, grace and advocacy.”
The family endured significant media attention and scrutiny, but also received cards and letters from around the world. Some envelopes included cash or cheques from strangers.
The Shepards used those funds to start the Matthew Shepard Foundation, officially established on Dec. 1, 1998 — what would have been Shepard’s 22nd birthday.
The organization provides education, outreach, and advocacy programs, including media resources, a cards-and-letters exhibit, and materials for post-show talkbacks.
Dennis Shepard even facilitated an online Q&A for the AWT cast.
“Dennis was so funny and enlightening. He answered all of our questions,” said third-year student Sasha Austin. “I feel more connected to the message than ever.”
At one point during the 75-minute conversation, Dennis turned a black-and-white snapshot of Shepard toward the camera, describing his son as a spirited, curious, civic-minded theatre kid who was open-hearted, highly sensitive, and deeply empathetic.
Dennis and Judy Shepard continue to honour Matt’s memory in their advocacy work.
He acknowledged “the iconic and the exotic” elements to his son’s life and legacy – a story so captivating that it sparked two plays, documentaries, books, news specials and an Emmy-winning movie of the week.
He also marvelled at Shepard’s ordinariness, his chaotic energy, his humanity, and his imperfections, saying with a smile, “My son was a handful; he could be a real pain.”
Behind-the-scenes support
Noah Fischer, Gender and Sexual Diversity manager, who oversees 2SLGBTQIA+ programming for Student Services, has organized a roster of volunteers from TRU Counselling, Student Affairs, and Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response, who will be available at each show to provide support or resources.
“This crime was such a clear and brazen example of hatred and violence towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It was a true watershed moment in queer history,” Fischer said. “It may be potentially activating, so we want to hold space for that.”
“Given the current political climate, the intensifying homophobia and transphobia, and the recent murder of a gay man in Kamloops, this story must be revisited and remembered,” Fischer added. “While this is not the first time the production has been held in Kamloops, it’s more important than ever. Matt Shepard would have been our friend.”
Nichol said, “The attitudes expressed by some of the characters in this play could be heard on the streets of Kamloops today, and for those of us who disagree with that rhetoric, it’s our responsibility to amplify this message.”
A legacy of changemaking
The Shepards have continued to champion for human rights, working tirelessly to “erase hate” by ensuring safety, visibility, and inclusiveness for the entire 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The foundation helped pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, the first federal hate crimes legislation in the United States, which was signed into law by then-President Barack Obama.
The AWT Q&A was archived in the Matthew Shepard Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collection.
Matt Shepard would have been celebrating his 50th birthday this year.
The Laramie Project runs Feb. 26 – 28 and March 5 – 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Black Box Theatre.