Laramie Research

I'm going to be directing "The Laramie Project" in a fairly conservative area in California next year. What I want more than anything is for a change to truly be made, and I feel as though this can only happen with the actors knowing more about the members of The Tectonic Theater Project so they will understand who they'll be portraying.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to accomplish this? (Or do members of the project/company have ideas?)

Thank you.

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Permalink Reply by Aggelos Bollas on July 5, 2011 at 1:54am

Dear Jolyn Johnson,

In my view, actors do not need to know the members of The Tectonic Project (acting will become mere representation and, most likely, you might lose your point). What you should do is to highlight the truth you find in these characters. Thus, your actors will act out your vision, extracted from The Laramie Project.

Best,

Aggelos Bollas

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Permalink Reply by Susan Cunningham Burk on July 11, 2011 at 9:53am

Hi, Jolyn. I am the Laramie Project Specialist for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Although I wouldn't be your best resourse for your request here, we have resources that may help you with other aspects of your production if you like. We have a collaborative relationship with Tectonic. You can contact me at susan@matthewshepard.org.

S. Burk

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Permalink Reply by Jolyn Johnson on July 11, 2011 at 10:48am

Thank you, Susan! I believe one of my co-producers, Sheldon Sherman, has already been in contact with you!

I am very much looking forward to working with you and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. My email is jolynbjohnson@gmail.com and the last I heard from Sheldon was that we might possibly be able to Skype or have a telephone conference call. Thank you so much for everything you've already done.

Jolyn

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Permalink Reply by Susan Cunningham Burk on July 11, 2011 at 6:47pm

Jolyn, nice to meet you! Yes, I've been communicating with Sheldon. We certainly can set up a call. Let's try to find a time, I'm in Mountain Time Zone. I'll send you both an email and we can schedule. Looking forward to it!

Susan

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Permalink Reply by Greg Reiner on July 25, 2011 at 5:42pm

Hi Jolyn- Susan and the Shepard Foundation are a wonderful resource! Of course feel free to contact us at Tectonic as well- although I also defer to Aggelos' thoughts that your actors have much to gain from finding their own individual voices as the characters, and shouldn't feel obligated to lean too much on the original actor/writers who created the piece. Best of luck with your production!!

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Permalink Reply by Jolyn Johnson on July 25, 2011 at 5:48pm

Thank you, Greg! I would love to learn more through Tectonic - how could I do this? Who should I contact?

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Permalink Reply by Susan Cunningham Burk on July 25, 2011 at 6:19pm

Hi, Greg!

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Permalink Reply by Greg Reiner on July 26, 2011 at 1:37pm

Hi Susan!

Jolyn- you can call our office anytime, 212-579-6111. Greg

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Permalink Reply by Jolyn Johnson on January 31, 2012 at 4:30pm

Greg, I ate to keep calling you so I'll ask here -- in terms of the "media descending" with the overlap of dialogue, there seems to be a lack of content to keep the overlap going. Are there more pieces of dialogue that can be used for the various reporters to continue the cacophony of the scene?