Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Company ...
Presentational Theater and Representational Theater

The Laramie Project as Presentational Theatre

These locations, and many more, are suggested by the dialogue or by the Narrator; you do not see the locations.
In the movie The Laramie Project you actually see those locations. Movies are representational; the play is presentational.
Presentational Theatre often tells a story from many different perspectives, or with many different voices.
Hundreds of interviews were conducted by the members of the Tectonic Theatre Project
No one perspective dominates; the town is given many voices and the audience must listen to all and form an opinion.
Everybody carries a piece of the truth in The Laramie Project.
The actors portraying the actor/members of the Tectonic Theatre Project use the actual words of Laramie residents; the words are not crafted for dramatic content or purpose.
The different stories show how a variety of people stand up to hatred and intolerance; how others justify their intolerance; how bigotry is commonplace in America.

Possible Questions for Discussion after Reading or Seeing The Laramie Project

1. Why did Moises Kaufman choose not to have Matthew Shepard appear as a character in the play?
2. How do people in the play stand up to hatred and bigotry? What person did you find most courageous in that regard? Why?
3. Do you think the Laramie phrase “live and let live” was true for the people of Laramie? Would it be true for all Americans today?
4. How would you summarize the views of the religious community in Laramie?
5. Do you see hatred and bigotry here at LaGuardia? If so, what could you do about stopping it?
6. What is the current status of hate crime legislation in New York State, in the United States?
7. Could an attack on a gay student happen here in New York City? Why or why not?
8. How do you think the current national debate on same sex marriages will effect attitudes toward GLBT peoples?