This weekend, 16 students at Uxbridge Secondary School will take the stage in their production of The Laramie Project. For any unfamiliar, though I am not sure how you could be if you're reading this, The Laramie Project is a play derived from interviews conducted with real people in Laramie, Wyoming in the aftermath of the kidnapping, beating, and eventual death of Matthew Shepard, a 21 year old student and gay man. It reveals the wounds caused in one community by homophobia and hatred. This is heavy stuff for teenagers, but maybe a high school, especially one in a town of less than 20,000, is the perfect place to stage this play. Maybe if someone in Laramie had done something similar, the whole affair could have been avoided. At any rate, these student and their teacher, Amy Blizzard, should be commended for having the courage to tackle The Laramie Project.
Now enter the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas. These "Christian" followers of Pastor Fred Phelps, the man who protested Matthew Shepard's funeral, which is depicted in The Laramie Project, have plans to head north to protest this production and to teach these teenagers the "truth." There have been rumors that the group would protest in Canada in the past and they have always been a no-show, but this time, Phelps's daughter confirms that a group of six is prepared to drive up here with their hate-mongering signs. I will not reprint their slogans here. She also implies that they shouldn't have to drive all that way, that we in Canada should be doing this ourselves to educate these children. "What is going on in Canada?" she asks.
I'll tell you. In Canada, for all our differences and our grievances with one another, we believe that all people, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc., have a right to live their lives. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and we are capable of peacefully co-existing without always agreeing. What is going on in Canada is that we do not believe in hate. We do not preach hate, we do not condone hate, and we certainly will not tolerate hate. But you are entitled to your opinion. So come on up, Phelpsies, give us your best. And we will give you ours. When Phelps protested Matthew Shepard's funeral, one of Matt's friends organized a counter protest. These counter protesters wore giant white angel wings and stood silently with their backs to Phelps and his group. Silently blocking out hate. I feel this is an excellent response, and the only thing they deserve. We will not engage your hatred, we are above that.
I would encourage everyone with a means of transportation to go support these students. It's a great thing that they're doing, regardless of Phelps. But take your angel wings, just in case he shows up....
The Laramie Project at Uxbridge Secondary School
127 Planks Lane, Uxbridge
December 11, 12, and 13 8:00
$10 at the door
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7 comments:
Thanks!
Back at you...love the leaf pictures.
It's Dec. 12. I haven't found any news on the Web about the Uxbridge production of Laramie. Have you heard anything? Did Phelps show up? Any Angels? I'm in New York City and have a production myself with performances at the sametime as Uxbridge Secondary, or else I'd have been there.
I haven't heard anything yet. Uxbridge opens tonight and Phelps's website says they plan to protest tomorrow night's show. I will keep an eye out and keep you updated!
Where in NYC is your production??
Update from Uxbridge.
My son is in the play. They opened officially last night to about 200 people and no protesters. The unofficial opening was a performance reserved for students of the school. They actually had to turn away 250 of the 800 students who wanted to purchase tickets because the auditorium maxes out at 550. That was yesterday afternoon. Both went off without a hitch. The kids should be, and are, extremely proud of themselves. Bring on the unenlightened. We look forward to hosting their backward ideas in our progressive little town.
I am so happy to hear that! Congratulate them, please...I am so impressed by the whole story and by the community. I am not sure my high school or town would have been able to pull it off not so long ago. I wish them the best and wish I could be there...unfortunately I have prior commitments this weekend. But I will be thinking of them and please come back to let us know how it all turns out!!
Well, its all over now. The three night run of The Laramie Project is complete and thanks to Fred Phelps and his band of crazies from Kansas, the 16 performers and their teacher have had their 15 minutes of fame. And the WBC never even showed up. I'd love to send them a thank you letter for all of the free publicity and noteriety, but why poke the bear? The kids got letters from Rick Mercer and Michael Ignatieff among others. They got a page 5 spot in the Globe, right below Ted Rogers' funeral. Most importantly, the town turned out in big numbers to see and support the play. It was a great experience for all of the kids and has hooked many of them on the performing arts. Thanks for taking an interest.
Thank you for coming back and for sharing!
So glad to hear it all went well and that it brought so many people together--which is ultimately what the play itself is about, isn't it? Coming together as a community. Almost unfortunate that the WBC didn't turn up to see that their hate-mongering only generated more support and positive publicity for the kids, their teacher, the play, Uxbridge, etc. The National Endowment for the Arts in the US says straight plays are losing their audiences, supply has outstripped demand, but perhaps that would all change if more people shared in a theatrical experience like what happened in Uxbridge this weekend.
And I wish your son and his classmates all the best in their future theatrical endeavors! I would love to hear where they go from here...
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