The Laramie Project and Shakespeare

1107 Words3 Pages

Artistic creations can be a means for the exploration of human attitudes, feelings and behaviors. The performing arts are an example of an artistic media that can be utilized in this way. For example, the use of theatre and film can be applied as way to explore some of the human attitudes, feelings and behaviors that are related to topics such as tolerance, acceptance, anger, hatred and also forgiveness. Two such performing arts examples are The Laramie Project and Shakespeare as presented in the Secured Housing Unit (SHU) at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF), a super-maximum security prison in the state of Indiana. These productions offer their creators and viewers alike, the opportunity to learn much about the attitudes and actions concerning how people relate to each other. They also offer an opportunity for people to understand themselves better, as well.
The Laramie Project, developed by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Company, consists of both a theatrical representation and an HBO film based on the actual 1998 murder of twenty-one year old University of Wyoming student, Matthew Shepard. On October 6th, 1998, Mr. Shepard was bound to a fence and severely beaten and left to die in the outskirts of the small town of Laramie, Wyoming. He passed away as a result of the injuries he sustained six days later. This was a hate crime, since Matthew was targeted because he was gay. The Laramie Project originated when members of The Tectonic Theatre Company went to Laramie in order to interview the residents concerning the circumstances surrounding the murder of Matthew Shepard, as well as their reaction to this incident, in order to put on a production pertaining to these events.
Shakespeare, as presented...

... middle of paper ...

...ilm have the ability to impact our perceptions of others, and they also have the ability to impact the perceptions we have concerning ourselves. Performing arts can be used to create a space to for us to be able to examine areas of our lives, and the lives of others, that we might otherwise not wish to look at. When we do make a space to examine our attitudes, feelings and behaviors, including the outcomes that they may have on others, we may find in our own selves a greater degree of compassion and willingness to accept human imperfection. In doing so, we become more accountable to ourselves and to society as a whole.

References:
Scott-Douglass, A. (2007). Shakespeare Inside: The Bard Behind Bars. Bloomsbury Publishing.
The Laramie Project. (n.d.). [Audiovisual Material]. (Original work published 2002) Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1qiTmF0p4

Show More
Related

  • The Laramie Project

    1892 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Laramie Project, written by Moisés Kaufman, is a compilation of interviews by The Tectonic Theater Project, news publications, and journal entries. After the brutal murder of Mathew Sheppard in 1998. Kaufman along with his theater troupe made six visits to Laramie, Wyoming, where the murder took place, to interview people about what happened and how they felt about the crime in their community. They interviewed about two hundred people, of which about sixty were included in the play. The play showcases a small town in America in a historical time of tragedy. The production of The Laramie Project was simple. The stage setting was minimal and the the actors consisted of eight people portraying more than sixty. Through the patchwork of interviews The Laramie Project conveys the themes of identity, representation, and change.

    Read More

  • Matthew Shepard Story Movie Analysis

    709 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Matthew Shepard Story is a 2002 award-winning film based on the true story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old gay man who was murdered in 1998. Rather than following Matthew 's story directly, the film follows Matthew’s parents after the conviction of the two men responsible for the murder of their son. The movie touches on themes like homophobia, assault, rape, coming out, love, friendship, and justice.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Shakespeare In The 9th Grade Curriculum

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    Should Shakespeare be taught in the 9th grade curriculum? Shakespeare was a writer and an actor. Shakespeare lived from 1564-1616 and wrote 38 plays, poems, and sonnets. If you ask students if Shakespeare should be taught, most will say Shakespeare shouldn’t be taught. Shakespeare shouldn’t be taught in 9th grade curriculum because his plays were made to entertain and not to study, they’re difficult to understand, and lastly, he is irrelevant.

    Read More

  • The Relevance of Teaching Shakespeare in Schools

    670 Words  | 2 Pages

    Do you think Shakespeare should be taught in schools? If you say no, then let me tell you why you are wrong; most people believe that Shakespeare shouldn't be taught because it’s hard to comprehend or that doesn't relate to us, the readers. But in reality, it gives us a new perspective on how people must have lived back then or on how they responded to situations that we might never have to go through in our lives. For example, in Romeo and Juliet, we are introduced to two young adults that are enemies but they fall in love to show that love is blind and that is true love might exist ( even though they moved on from their previous crushes, Rosaline and Paris ) , this gives me the first situation I want to talk about, which is the problems teenagers or people in general have to deal with and those are love and relationships or commitment . People who say that it doesn't relate to us, please let me explain why it wrong; first, everyone, who has been in a relationship will know that relationship aren't always perfect because you will have problem, arguments, and obstacles.

    Read More

  • The World Of Shakespeare In The 1600's And Today

    405 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Shakespearean world of the late 1500's and early 1600's was very, very different from our own. Though there are differences, there are also some similarities. The world of Shakespeare is a unique, and again, is much different than our own.

    Read More

  • William Shakespeare Research Paper

    1468 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, utilized humor and irony as he developed specific language for his plays, thereby influencing literature forever. “Shakespeare became popular in the eighteenth century” (Epstein 8). He was the best all around. “Shakespeare was a classic” (8). William Shakespeare is a very known and popular man that has many works, techniques and ways. Shakespeare is the writer of many famous works of literature. His comedies include humor while his plays and poems include irony. Shakespeare sets himself apart by using his own language and word choice. Shakespeare uses certain types of allusions that people always remember, as in the phrase from Romeo and Juliet, “star-crossed lovers”.

    Read More

  • The Laramie Project Summary

    899 Words  | 2 Pages

    Investigating officer Sargeant Hing stated: “How could this happen? I think a lot of people just don’t understand, and even I don’t really understand, how someone can do something like that. We have one of the most vocal populations of gay people in the state. . . .And it’s pretty much: Live and let live.”(2) The reader quickly learns that Laramie is a western railroad and ranching town that is home to the University of Wyoming, which has helped to develop its complex persona. Sergeant Hing adds, "It's a good place to live. Good people, lots of space." How then can such a brutal murder occur?” (2) Was Laramie fated to be remembered for an ugly crime, like Columbine, Sandy Hook, or Waco? The New York actors, while gathering information about the murder for their play, quickly learn that most of the residents wish to free themselves from the blemish of bigotry. Citizen Marge Murray comments,

    Read More

  • The Influence of Shakespeare

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    Across the Universe of Time: Shakespeare’s influence on 21st century society. It is harder to imagine a more universal writer than William Shakespeare. Rarely, if ever, is one of his many plays not being performed anywhere in the world and similarly rare is the tertiary English student who has not examined his work at length. His plays, sonnets and poems are common fodder for high school English departments across the globe.

    Read More

  • Theatre In Prison Essay

    3107 Words  | 7 Pages

    ...pressing of emotions, identifying with other systems of thought. Theatrical arts have managed to transcend ethical issues, racial differences, and many other facets of discourse in society. If theatre is indeed an engine for social change it should not be held from the people who need it the most. Those who are incarcerated. Programs across the nation have already started to see success in the prisons they operate in, so to think about the effect that theatre in prison would have on a nationwide scale is indeed a beautiful thought. If theatre programs in prison would be funded by the states or nationally, potentially the idea of professional prison playhouses could become a reality, and the world would be introduced into a new era of art that is truly a beautiful thing to behold. Shakespeare writes in Hamlet, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”

    Read More

  • Musical Theatre

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    The use of choreography and music in a musical is not only entertaining, but can illustrate the social issues present in

    Read More

  • Brechtian Alienation in Theater Performance

    1209 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... a way for audiences and performers to connect on a closer level. They are both experiencing the surreal, disassociating themselves from the performance taking place. They both become more introspective. The performance becomes a vehicle for self-understanding, metacognition.

    Read More

  • Theatre as a Platform for Addressing Current Issues in Society: A Number, by Caryl Churchill

    2720 Words  | 6 Pages

    A mere mention of the term theatre acts as a relief to many people. It is in this place that a m...

    Read More

  • Theatre In Changing Society

    373 Words  | 1 Pages

    The survival of theatre lies in the very nature of humankind: its inner voyeuristic drive. The desire to watch other people dealing with their conflicts and fates challenges as well as reinforces values and the morality of society. The theatre provides an exciting opportunity to watch stories and situations as if they were real life, showing us the truth of our nature.

    Read More

  • Applied Theatre In Prison

    413 Words  | 1 Pages

    This sentiment is echoed in David Cameron’s speech in 2016 on prison reform, declaring that to him “punishment – that deprivation of liberty – is not a dirty word.” Nevertheless, the latter half of the twentieth century saw a new interest in rehabilitation, encapsulated in the arts through the umbrella term ‘applied theatre’. With a rising interest in social sciences, applied theatre signalled theatre’s move back into the community and non-theatrical spaces. Encompassing forms such as Theatre in Education, Theatre in Prison, and Theatre for Development, applied theatre ultimately aims towards social change, resonating with the ideals of epic theatre produced by Brecht.

    Read More

  • Theatre Of Cruelty

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    (Brook, 49). These exercises encompasses the Brook version of Theatre of Cruelty. Peter Brook put into action the ideas of Artaud through the use of physical exploration, human nature and emotions are authentically evoked. For example, the audience is more likely to sympathises with a crying women whose body is wrenching in sobs than a woman who is standing still, struggling to produce a

    Read More

More about The Laramie Project and Shakespeare

Open Document