KU Theatre closes season with powerful production of The Laramie Project
The University of Kansas Department of Theatre is closing out the 2025-2026 season with a sold-out production that will resonate heavily with audiences.
Staged inside the William Inge Memorial Theatre in Murphy Hall, The Laramie Project opens this weekend as the final play of the school year.
The play is written by Moisés Kaufman and tells the true story of Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who was assaulted and killed in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998 as a result of his sexuality. The perpetrators were Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney.
Unlike traditional plays, The Laramie Project is built from real interviews, court transcripts and journal entries collected by the Tectonic Theatre Project in the aftermath of the tragedy. The KU production features a 12-person cast, with each actor portraying multiple real-life individuals connected to the case.
Getting to portray real people from a real case is meaningful to some of the cast members.
“It’s not fictional,” said Taylor Getz, a cast member. “Some of these people are still walking around and living their lives today.”
Actors emphasized the responsibility that comes with portraying real people, noting that each character represents a lived experience rather than a background role.
“They’re all their own person,” said Cytlahli Valle, another cast member. “They’re not just throwaways… all of them were people who were there.”
Beyond just recounting the events of the tragedy, the production explores themes of grief, resilience and community. Cast members say the play highlights the importance of leaning on others during difficult times.
“You have to keep going,” Valle said. “These tragedies happen, and you have to build community and rely on people and not go through it on your own.”
The show also aims to challenge audiences and encourage reflection. Through live theatre, associate director Darryl Brundige Jr. hopes viewers will engage with perspectives they may not encounter otherwise.
“I think knowledge is power,” Brundige Jr. said. “If you’re able to step outside of your comfort zone, live theatre is one of the best ways to connect and learn.”
Though the themes of the play can be heavy, the production team has plans for audience members to deal with the overwhelming feelings they may experience while viewing the play.
“The dramaturgy team has come up with this idea of turning a classroom into a healing space,” Brundige jr. said. “It will have different artifacts, books, and queer history as a place for people to sit and relax.”
An important show with important themes, this production will aim to teach audiences about history, dealing with tragedy, and the perseverance of love over hate.
The Laramie Project opens Friday, April 24, and runs through Sunday, with five performances scheduled over the weekend at the William Inge Memorial Theatre.
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