Pascack Valley High School Theatre will be performing “The Laramie Project” as this year’s fall play on Nov. 20, 21, and 22.
The play is centered around the true story of Matthew Shepard, a gay 21-year-old student who attended the University of Wyoming and was a victim of a hate crime that led to his death in October of 1998.
The play not only tells the story of Matthew Shepard, but it also explores themes such as how a community reacts to events such as a murder and what it means to live in a community with each other.
“The Laramie Project” includes over 60 characters in the span of 90 minutes, so Valley’s student-performers will have to switch characters on stage at the drop of a hat.
Due to construction in the PVHS auditorium, the production will be held in the school’s lower cafeteria. When Thomas Lupfer, director and producer of PVHS Theatre, and the rest of the crew heard the news, they knew that they had to adapt.
“When we were faced with a situation where we knew we weren’t going to have the auditorium, we knew we had to do something inventive for staging and something that didn’t rely on scenery or other technical effects,” said Lupfer.
Because of the change in venue, PVHS Theatre chose “The Laramie Project” as its fall play. PVHS Theatre had already produced this show in 2011, so the staff knew the production would focus on the story and wouldn’t require a complicated set.
Despite the challenges the program is facing due to renovations in their rehearsal and performance space, PVHS Theatre is working together and making the best of their new stage: the cafeteria.
Before every rehearsal, the cast and crew help one another move tables, props, costumes, lighting, and more in a matter of minutes, ultimately turning the once cafeteria into a functional rehearsal space.
“The show will take place in the lower cafeteria. It’s in a rounded seating [set up],” said Lupfer. “All the seats are facing the central area, but there are platforms throughout the seating sections. It can seat 140 people each performance.”
While the renovations have forced the program to move to a space that hinders the group’s ability to utilize lighting, props, and those aspects of the set, Lupfer is grateful for these renovations that will be completed in time for the spring musical.
“We’re so grateful and fortunate that the school district is doing this [construction],” said Lupfer. “Several of [our staff] have worked with the people to establish the things that are being done in the renovation…we’re really excited.”
Lupfer explained that the staff of PVHS Theatre worked with the school to create a new layout that optimized backstage space, lighting, and sound.
In the meantime, PVHS Theatre is putting in the hours and using creativity to produce “The Laramie Project,” showing in the lower cafeteria at Pascack Valley on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 22 at 1 and 7 p.m..
You can find more information regarding the play, show dates, tickets, and more at pvtheatre.ludus.com!
