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The Laramie Project-Ten Years Later directed by Michael Towers Westford Academy Performing Arts Center October 12, 2009 7:30 p.m. Adults $10 Students $5
Westford Academy Theater Arts has been recognized by being selected as one of one hundred production companies in the United States to present a world premiere staged reading of The Laramie Project-Ten Years Later, an epilogue to the highly acclaimed play The Laramie Project, on October 12th at 7:30 at The Westford Academy Performing Arts Center. Of those companies selected, Westford Academy Theater Arts was one of two public high theater departments. Other companies selected include: Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, The Actor's Studio of Louisville, and Berkeley Repertory Theater.
In a celebration of the rich history of the department, a dozen WATA Alumni will return to produce and perform in this pre-Broadway release. Alumni team members include: Daniel Lucey, Brian Townsend, Leah Bagas, Dennis Canty, Patricia Hughes, Michael Towers, Scott Towers, Evan Dean, Tyler Medley, Steve Sheridan, Christopher Gosselin, and Christine Talaid. Special guest performers include: Janet Keirstead (WA English Teacher), Larry Sousa (WATA Director), and Donna Wresinski (Artistic Director of Framingham High School Drama Company and the MHSDG President).
Attendees of the event at Westford Academy will be greeted by members of the Tectonic Theater Company, Judy Shepard and Glenn Close via live feed from the simultaneous New York City production.
Tickets for the production will be available for purchase one hour prior to curtain as well as online at www.mvarts.info. Tickets are $10.00 for general admission and $5.00 for students and seniors. Proceeds from the production benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation. |
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photo credit: George Lucozzi/ASA Photographic
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
The creators of the highly acclaimed play The Laramie Project, which since 2000 has been one of the most performed plays in America, will premiere a compelling and groundbreaking epilogue to the originalpiece. The Laramie Project-Ten Years Later will be presented publiclyfor the first time in a reader’s theater format at one hundred theatersacross the country on October 12, 2009. One of only two public highschool theater departments selected in the country, Westford AcademyTheater Arts (WATA) will be among those companies who partner with Moises Kauffman and the Tectonic Theater Company in this historic event. The Theater Collaborative of Westford, a newly formed not-for-profit theater organization, will sponsor and produce the event in the Westford Academy Performing Arts Center.
ArtisticDirector Michael Towers will direct a cast of twelve Westford Academy Alumni whose range of WA attendance spans a twenty five year period.Joining the ensemble cast are special guests Janet Keirstead (WAEnglish Department) and Larry Sousa (WATA Guest Director.)
Theepilogue focuses on the long term effect of the murder of Matthew Shepard on the town of Laramie, Wyoming. The Tectonic Theater Company’s unique play-building process parallels the scientific method in which a problem is identified, data is collected, and a hypothesis is formed based on findings. As in the original production of The Laramie Project, the Tectonic Theater Company embedded themselves in Laramie and, through a course of intense observation and interviews, yield edits epilogue. The characters and the names cited in the play are factual. The dialogue is their own, as recorded by company members.
Withan emphasis on its moral, social and political implications and in an effort to reinforce a national awareness of community, a pre and post show will be broadcast to all participating productions live from Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. The pre-show portion will include anintroduction from the production’s writers as well as other specialguests including Glenn Close and Judy Shepard. The post show willc onsist of a Q & A session in which audience members from participating theaters can text or twitter questions to be answered live. In addition to the live broadcast, the Tectonic Theater Projectis launching an online environment where production contributors and audience members can network and share experiences. The website for this is www.laramieproject.org.
Tickets are $10.00 General Admission and $5.00 for Students and Seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mvarts.info
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