Judy Shepard News

Actors from the James Tolin Memorial Fund (JTMF) will present a riveting staged reading of 'The Laramie Project' at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Presented as part of JTMF's continuing Anti-Bullying/Anti-Suicide Campaign, this special event will benefit the Tyler Clementi Foundation. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center is set to present the Los Angeles premiere of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later at the Davidson/Valenti Theatre with preview performances tonight and tomorrow, September 11 and 12, and the official opening set for Friday, September 13 at 8pm. Written by Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber, and directed by Ken Sawyer, the production will run through November 16.

Paul R. Tetreault, Director of Ford's Theatre Society, announced the special event schedule for the third year of The Lincoln Legacy Project-this year thematically connected with the Society's production of the stage play The Laramie Project (September 27-October 27, 2013), and recognizing the 15 years since Matthew Shepard was abducted and killed in an anti-gay hate crime in Laramie, Wyoming. The multi-year Lincoln Legacy Project encourages people of differing viewpoints to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue about diversity and understanding through a range of programming including performances, panel discussions, special museum exhibitions, education programs and more. This fall, Ford's presents The Laramie Project to spark conversation about social injustice, bigotry, bullying and violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, and to take steps toward understanding, inclusion and equality.

Independent filmmaker Michele Josue announced the launch of a 25-day Kickstarter fundraising campaign to market and independently distribute Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine.

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center is set to present the Los Angeles premiere of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later at the Davidson/Valenti Theatre with preview performances on September 11 and 12, and the official opening set for Friday, September 13 at 8pm. Written by Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber, and directed by Ken Sawyer, the production will run through November 16.

Ten local actors are hard at work in rehearsals for The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later by Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber. The show will be performed at The Wesley Arena Theatre, 271 East 9th Street, Cookeville under the direction of Kathleen Gilpatrick on Saturday, May 4 at 8:00 p.m. as part of the day long Upper Cumberland Pride Festival celebration. Performances will continue on Thursday through Saturday, May 9, 10 & 11 also at 8:00 p.m. All tickets are $10.00 per person except for Thursday, May 9 which is a pay-what-you-can-performance. Thursday, May 9 tickets will not be sold in advance - they will only be available at the door. Tickets are currently on sale at Art a la Carte Gallery, 121 West Broad Street, Cookeville. Tickets will also be available at Upper Cumberland Pride on May 4 from 1-7 pm at Dogwood Park and at the door the night of the performances. The show produced by UC Pride, United Church of Christ and Stan Rodriquez, is an epilogue to The Laramie Project, which was performed in 2006 at the Wesley Arena Theatre also under the direction of Kathleen Gilpatrick.

Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault announced the Theatre's 2013-2014 season will open with a new production of The Laramie Project, 15 years after the killing of Wyoming college student Matthew Shepard. The play is presented as the cornerstone production for the Ford's Theatre Society's Lincoln Legacy Project, a multi-year effort dedicated to sparking dialogue in the nation's capital around issues of social injustice and the ideals of equality for which Abraham Lincoln stood. A series of free special programs and events will be offered in connection with the play in September/October 2013.

The producers of the new musical Bare have announced the final speakers for the TalkOUT series. Audiences at performances tonight, January 30th and Thursday, January 31st will be invited to stay after the show to participate in a discussion with this week's special guests, including The Clementi Family (The Tyler Clementi Foundation) and Taylor Trensch with Stafford Arima (BARE's 'Peter' and the show's director).

The producers of the new musical BARE have announced the final speakers for the TalkOUT series. Audiences at performances on Wednesday, January 30th and Thursday, January 31st will be invited to stay after the show to participate in a discussion with this week's special guests, including The Clementi Family (The Tyler Clementi Foundation) and Taylor Trensch with Stafford Arima (BARE's "Peter" and the show's director).

The producers of the new musical Bare have announced the upcoming series of speakers for the January TalkOUT events. Audiences at select performances will be invited to stay after the show to participate in a discussion with some of the foremost leaders in the fight for LGBT equality. This month's special guests will include Ross Murray (GLAAD) with Missi Pyle (BARE's own 'Sister Joan'), Nathan Schaefer (Empire State Pride Agenda), Maggie Keenan-Bolger and Derrick Miller-Handley (The Point Foundation), Rabbi Michael Mellen, The Clementi Family (Tyler Clementi Foundation) and Taylor Trensch with Stafford Arima (BARE's 'Peter' and the show's director).

The producers of the new musical Bare have announced the upcoming series of speakers for the January TalkOUT events. Audiences at select performances will be invited to stay after the show to participate in a discussion with some of the foremost leaders in the fight for LGBT equality. This month's special guests will include Ross Murray (GLAAD) with Missi Pyle (BARE's own 'Sister Joan'), Nathan Schaefer (Empire State Pride Agenda), Maggie Keenan-Bolger and Derrick Miller-Handley (The Point Foundation), Rabbi Michael Mellen, The Clementi Family (Tyler Clementi Foundation) and Taylor Trensch with Stafford Arima (BARE's 'Peter' and the show's director).

Speaking on behalf of the producers of the new musical BARE, Paul Boskind, who is organizing the series, is proud to announce that the show will host post-performance TalkOUTs throughout the run of the show. Beginning with the first preview, audiences at select performances will be invited to stay after the show to participate in a discussion with some of the foremost leaders in the fight for LGBT equality. These special guests will include Judy Shepard (Matthew Shepard Foundation), The Clementi Family (Tyler Clementi Foundation), Chuck Wolfe (The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund), Hudson Taylor (Athlete Ally), Mitchell Gold (Faith in America), Travis Wall (choreographer of BARE, "So You Think You Can Dance") and cast members of BARE.

Broadway favorite Max von Essen, who is currently starring in EVITA, recently spoke out about his feelings on equal rights and the importance of the upcoming election through an eloquent post on his personal Facebook page. You can read the full message below:

Redtwist Theatre will produce a ten-year epilogue as a companion piece to the original play, 'The Laramie Project.' Written by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber, and directed by three-time Jeff Award-winner, Greg Kolack, 'The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later' opens on Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m.

The Drama League has announced that this year's 78th Annual Drama League Awards will be hosted by Tony Award winners Stockard Channing (Other Desert Cities) and John Larroquette (Gore Vidal's The Best Man). The awards ceremony is set for Friday afternoon, May 18th at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) at Noon. This year's Drama League Award Nominees will be announced Tuesday morning, April 24th at Sardi's.

Redtwist Theatre will produce a ten-year epilogue as a companion piece to the original play, 'The Laramie Project.' Written by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber, and directed by three-time Jeff Award-winner, Greg Kolack, 'The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later' opens on Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m.

Redtwist Theatre will produce a ten-year epilogue as a companion piece to the original play, 'The Laramie Project.' Written by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber, and directed by three-time Jeff Award-winner, Greg Kolack, 'The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later' opens on Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m.

Redtwist Theatre will produce a ten-year epilogue as a companion piece to the original play, 'The Laramie Project.' Written by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber, and directed by three-time Jeff Award-winner, Greg Kolack, 'The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later' opens on Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m.