THE LARAMIE PROJECT Closes 3/28 at Hillsdale High School

Hillsdale High School Theater will present The Laramie Project March 24 - 28th. This landmark production chronicles life in the town of Laramie, Wyoming, a year after Matthew Shepard, a 21 year-old gay student, was kidnapped, severely beaten and left to die on the outskirts of the town. A month after the news of Matthew Shepard's death broke, the Tony award-winning, Broadway show producing, Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, and over the course of the next year, conducted more than 200 interviews with community members. From these interviews, Tectonic composed the play.

"it is a mystery as to how it could have happened and begs the question: could it happen anywhere?"

Hillsdale Theater will present The Laramie Project thru March 28th in the Hillsdale Little Theatre at Hillsdale High School, 3115 Del Monte Street, San Mateo, Calif., 94403. Tickets are $12 for students and seniors and $15 for general admission. To reserve tickets online, please go to www.hillsdalehigh.com/drama. Tickets will also be available at the door. Show updates and photos are also available online at www.facebook.com/hillsdale.drama.

"The purpose of theater is to hold up a mirror to reflect the society around us," says Theater Director Alison Gamlen, "and we believe this play offers a valuable opportunity. I chose this play to educate Hillsdale students about tolerance and accepting diversity and motivating positive change in their communities." According to Gamlen, "the focus of the production is not on the violence of The Situation, but tells the story of a community forced to confront itself in the aftermath of a tragedy under the glare of the press -- and during this process, both reexamine and reaffirm its sense of self." Gamlen sees the crime as a mystery saying, "it is a mystery as to how it could have happened and begs the question: could it happen anywhere?"

The Hillsdale Theater Department is dedicated to relating the lessons of the stage and applying them to real life situations and, as such, is thrilled to have Thomas Howard, a guest speaker from the Matthew Shepard Foundation, leading post-performance discussions on March 26th and 27th. Mr. Howard will also be conducting discussions and workshops about embracing diversity within the community for students and staff. The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Matthew's parents after his death, in an effort to facilitate understanding, compassion, and acceptance through educational, outreach and advocacy programs.

About Hillsdale High School, San Mateo, Calif.

Hillsdale High School, as a partner with the School Redesign Network at Stanford University, is recognized internationally for its Smaller Learning Communities (SLCs) curriculum and staffing structure. In 2004, Hillsdale radically restructured itself into three "Houses" through which each student receives a rigorous, relevant and personalized education. Since then, all student groups at Hillsdale, as well as the overall student body, have earned API increases of at least 100 points since 2004 and the high school's dropout rate has fallen to the lowest in the San Mateo Union High School District. Ninety-seven percent of Hillsdale students now pursue higher education. In December 2006, Hillsdale was recognized by PBS on Nightly Business Report for the redesign it realized with the help of Stanford University and the Bill and MeLinda Gates Foundation.

 

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