ZCT - The Laramie Project - Cast and Crew Bios

	Sarah Anderson ( Reggie Fluty, News #4 ) I love the fact that this show has the potential to open people's minds. We as a human race have a tendency to think our normal is everyone's definition of normal and this show challenges that. More than challenging your view of what is acceptable it humanizes other peoples views of acceptable and normal and right which I believe is the first step to open mindedness in the masses.
	Eric Blake ( Philip Dubois, Moises Kaufman, Doc O'Connor, Baptist Minister, Matt Mickelson, Dr. Cantway, Jeffrey Lockwood, Bill McKinney, Rob Debree, Conrad Miller, Kenny Drake, Mormon Home teacher to Russell Henderson ) I am a Respiratory Therapist by trade with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. I am married and have two children who are also involved with ZCT. I have been involved in theatre for many years (since high school, so you do the math). I love being involved either on stage or working behind the scenes. It was instilled in me at an early age that it is just as important to know set construction and other technical aspects of theatre as well as developing acting skills. I have been involved with ZCT for several years where I am currently a member of the Board of Directors. One of my favorite roles has been Clarence in the ZCT production of It’s a Wonderful Life. I feel that it is so important to give back to our community, and being involved with ZCT affords me that opportunity whether by nurturing young talent and providing them a safe place to learn and have a good time or by fund raising to help provide a much needed boost to those in need at the Holiday Season. Change is such a small word with a very powerful meaning. My hope is that The Laramie Project will plant a seed of change in everyone, changing the ideals and feelings that cause many of the intolerances and injustices prevalent in today’s society. Plant the seed of change within yourself today!
	Dan Brown ( Andy Paris, Stephen Mead Johnson, Phil Labrie, Anonymous friend to Aaron McKinney, Aaron Kreifels, Rulon Stacey, Gov. Jim Geringer, Shannon, Bailiff, Aaron McKinney ) Why did I audition for The Laramie Project? I felt it was my duty as a human being to do it. So many times in this world people don't look at the larger picture around them. They are cut off by their up bringing, their religion, or by where they live or how they interact with others. They often miss the other side of the coin, or rather, told to look the other way. The Laramie Project is about truth. It shows the faith and constitution people posses from both sides. It shows how right people think they are in their beliefs. And sometimes, stepping just a little back, one can see how ignorant they are of those around them. We are all human beings - why do we do this to each other? And that's why I felt I HAD to do this project. People need to think for themselves for a change."
	Sarah Fries ( April Silva, Zubaida Ula, Kristin Price, Tiffany Edwards ) I chose to audition for this play because I had heard the story of Matthew Shepard and was emotionally affected by the tragedy. I have always stood for acceptance, tolerance, and equality for all humans, so I became very angry at those who committed the crime, the people who looked the other way and even more so, the lack of action being taken to ensure these happenings do not become commonplace. When I heard ZCT was doing a production of The Laramie Project, I jumped at the chance to be able to tell Matthew's story to people (especially in our area). I feel that it is imperative to communicate tolerance and understanding to the human race, and this show is a perfect opportunity to do so. I hope that after seeing our production, at LEAST one person will be affected and think twice before being unaccepting or hateful to someone because of their sexuality, race, religion, gender, or beliefs.
	Amy Gartner ( Amanda Gronich, Trish Steger, Sherry Aanenson, E-mail Writer, Bailiff )- I am truly excited to be a part of this show and even more excited to have it be my debut with the Zanesville Community Theater. Many of the shows that I have participated in have been with LCP in Newark. I have been seen in shows such as The Fourth Wall, Fools, and Once Upon a Mattress. In high school I played Ado Annie in Oklahoma, Eulalie Mckecknie Shinn in The Music Man and Luella Bennett in The Deviners just to name a few. I currently work full-time as the Outdoor Program Manager for Girl Scouts-Heart of Ohio, Inc. where I teach girls to DEFY THE ORDINARY and to DEFY THE STEREOTYPES and be and feel empowered to be who they are. I challenge all of you to leave this show feeling empowered about who you are and know that you are all unique and wonderful. Enjoy the show.
	Sean McClure ( Jedadiah Schultz, Stephen Belber, Jon Peacock, Andrew Gomez, Rev. Fred Phelps, Russell Henderson, Cal Rerucha, Dennis Shepard ) This is a show that everyone should see. Hatred is still prevalent in every part of the world. That is why I think that this show is still so relevant. However, I don’t want this show to be a soapbox for people to stand on. This is a play that is meant for the individual. I only hope that in someway, people take something from it. I have put my heart and soul into this and can only hope it pays off.
	Taumi Miller ( Reporter, Romaine Patterson, News #2, Jen ) This is my first show with Zanesville Community Theater. I choose to audition for this particular play for many reasons. Feeling very passionately about fighting intolerance, I believe that a story of this caliber needs to be told in small town Ohio. Matthew’s case in an extreme example of the prejudices that still live in today’s society, and it should not be forgotten. By participating in this play, I hope to be a small part in the education and inspiration of my fellow community members. Even changing the thought process of just one man or woman would be worth all our efforts.
	Janet Prince ( Eileen Engen, Waitress, Marge Murray, Minister's Wife, Judge, Sherry Johnson, Lucy Thompson, Foreperson ) Theater is entertaining. That is its primary function. Once in a great while a play is written that not only entertains but invites the audience member to question. The Laramie Project is such a work. It is powerful. It is theater at its finest.
	Robert Leland Taylor ( Doc O'Connor, Gil Engen, Father Roger Schmit, Shadow, Murdock Cooper, Harry Woods, Priest at the Funeral ) This play is about tolerance – or lack of tolerance - on a planet of nearly seven billion people, each with a unique perspective. Sometimes in our fervor to promote our vision, or “cause”, empathy becomes a casualty as our antennae retract. I hope this presentation helps to dissolve some of the stereotypical images we have of one another, whether they be racial, sexual, religious or political, and in some small way moves us closer together. After all, all seven billion of us were brought into this world the same way – kicking and screaming against our will. And now we’re stuck here together without a clue as to why. Let’s adopt a new cause while we’re here, a cause that has nothing to do with race, sex, religion or politics. Let’s call it Kindness.
	Jillian Von Gunten ( Rebecca Hilliker, Barbarba Pitts, Alison Mears, Newsperson, News #3 )"What's the theater doing next?" "The Laramie Project." "Oh, that's about that boy who was beaten and killed, right?" "Yeah," I thought, "but that's not even the half of it." When Zanesville Community Theatre first considered producing The Laramie Project I was intrigued. Being a long time theater junkie I had heard of the play but wasn't terribly familiar with it. I was familiar with the circumstances upon which the play was based and so, of course, I felt it needed to be produced. And then I read it. The show spoke to me in a way that very few shows do and I knew then, more so than ever before, that I had to be a part of this show. This show examines some of the darkest moments of our own existence - I say "our own" because Laramie, Wyoming is not an isolated town. There are Laramies across the country and across the world. The Laramie Project examines the moments most people would choose to forget and forces us - those involved and those who watch the show - to see the unimagined horror contained in the reality of Matthew Shepard's death. It's all real. The words that make your blood boil with outrage, the moments that make tears well up inside of you, and the overwhelming sense of hope - they all happened and in many ways continue to happen. In the end, I hope that those who come to see The Laramie Project leave with a sense of hope that many of the heinous, evil injustices we face in our world could be undone if we all just treated one another with respect.
	Stefani Weaver ( Zackie Salmon, Leigh Fondakowski, Catherine Connolly, News #1, Newsperson ) I chose to do this show because I feel that this production can change the way people think. This is the best kind of art, in that it creates discussions about the way our society is. Seeing this show is not simply entertainment, but it is an experience.
	Joel L. Weekley II ( Greg Pierotti, Sgt. Hing, Jonas Slonaker, Doug Lawa, Matt Galloway, Judge, Bailiff ) Why do I want to do The Laramie Project? As a performer, every great once in a while, a script comes along that you just have to do. The “Laramie Project” is one of those scripts. Have you ever been the subject of another’s ridicule? Be it your race, color or creed, maybe it was your financial status or your sexual preference or maybe a “handicap”. Well most of us have been on the receiving end at one point or another. What if that ridicule went a step further, the violent confrontation. Imagine if you will, the senseless beating of another human being, simply because of their lifestyle. As a law enforcement officer, I have had the unfortunate opportunity to witness the devastation that surrounds these pointless and cowardice hate crimes. I was raised by two very loving and caring parents who taught us to respect others despite our differences. This production hits you square in the face with satire, comedy, and soul wrenching drama. I hope that all who witness this story are touched to their very core. Thank your for the opportunity to not only entertain you but touch your heart with hope for a tomorrow where these hate crimes do not exist.
	Production Staff
	Roger Touvell ( Director ) I looked at about 15 scripts this year before deciding on The Laramie Project. I was deeply moved not only by the theme of the play but also by the author's treatment of it. The authors of this play show how this crime affected not only the Shepard family, but also the town of Laramie and the entire world. They do this by showing us the reactions of normal people, not by sermonizing or slanting, but by presenting their reactions honestly. It struck me that this show could just as easily been written as The Jasper Project, or the Belgrade Project. Any crime against anyone that is committed due to hatred of a person's race, lifestyle, nationality, religion, whatever is particularly terrifying. It is the debasement of a human, it is saying, "you are not worthy to live because you are different". The reaction to these crimes can be equally as terrifying, or uplifting. In the case of The Laramie Project, there is both, however more uplifting than terrifying. I have seen, in my life, many examples of intolerance, for many reasons. I have seen, and still see, racial intolerance. I have seen people struggle against society's view of what is "normal". I have seen myself not accept people whose views conflict with mine. We need to transcend the fear that causes this intolerance, and accept people as what we are, humans, different yet all with the same basic desire, to live honestly and with dignity. I am dedicating my involvement in this show to my brother, James Touvell. He lived his life with dignity and honesty, and faced his death with the greatest of courage and honor. I feel his guidance every day. .
	Amy Underwood ( Director , Narrator) I was recently talking with a work colleague, a visual artist, who asked me what I was working on at the theatre. I explained The Laramie Project to him, and his reply was "Good. Isn't that what the arts in general are supposed to do....make us ask questions and think?" We, the Laramie Project company, have all asked ourselves many questions on the way to completion of this project. Now we invite you, the audience, to ask your own questions and think about the answers.
	Whitney Blake ( Assistant to the Directors ) I have been involved in theater productions since high school; I have taken on the student director position, stage manager, sound technician, lighting technician and also acted in performances at Philo High School. I have been involved in ZCT on and off for several years with my first play being in the 8th grade; I was a Brother Dumaine in "Alls Well That Ends Well". I have also been active in the Angel Tree productions for several years. I did not audition, nor was I asked to help with this production, but when I heard ZCT was going to do this I called the director and I basically forced my help upon him. I did not volunteer merely because I have worked on a production of The Laramie Project before but, because I have been personally touched by the meaning behind this play. I too have experienced the demeaning hostility of people in today's society in terms of hate crimes. Granted I did not lose my life, but my experience has made me want to spread the message about the hatred that fills our world. It is sad to see that one human, or group, can feel so strongly and be filled with such hate that would drive them to kill another living person. This play will hopefully shed some light on the fact that hate crimes happen and that they do happen in small towns. Whether it is Laramie Wyoming or Zanesville Ohio all things the same, people are different, and people hate. This play does not caress the subject softly, but it belts you right where it counts with a great amount of force and passion. The words spoken in this production are all true and filled with deep emotions in that all involved are deeply touched by the horrific tragedy that was Matthew Shepard's death. I hope that all who come to see this play will leave deeply touched and enlightened.
	Angel Palmer ( Video & Sound Assistant ) In each of our lives, we pray for an opportunity to be involved in something greater than ourselves. For me, it is The Laramie Project. On the outset, it seems that this is a play about a young man who is beat to death because he is gay. In reality, Matthew Shepard's horrible death was the vehicle used to open our eyes to the devastating reality of hate crimes and the lasting effects it has on families, communities, and society. This, to me, is not a play that is focused on furthering the homosexual agenda, it is a play focused on exposing a significant lack of respect for other beliefs, races, orientations. My prayer is through this show we can break down some of the walls that keep us from truly loving each other as individuals.
	Carleton B. Underwood ( Lighting, Sound, and Video Designer ) has been involved with ZCT since the early 1970's in mostly technical capacities. Why did I audition for The Laramie Project? I didn't. I never audition for any show. I'm just here. And have been since the early 70's. ZCT picks Directors, Producers, and scripts and I design lighting and sound to fit. I always give a show my all and try to do my very best, whether it requires new technologies or a reworking of old technologies - I do my very best. If I don't have the skills and resources to do the job, I find people that do or I learn new skills or acquire new resources. But, that said - I have to admit that some shows are more powerful and speak to me stronger than others. Sometimes it's the show or the personal situations that make that show speak - J.B., 1776, The Lion in Winter are shows that I remember, not so much for the show, but for what was going on at the time I did them. As "end users" of scripts, we rarely get to do a project of such power as The Laramie Project. THIS is one show that speaks to me for its contents and it's a strong message. Respect. Again, as "end users" of scripts, we rarely get to do shows that have a hope of creating social change. But if we have opened your eyes to the notion that all people deserve your respect then we have done our job. I don't want you to leave after the show saying - wow that was great tech or great acting or single out an element of the production. I want you to leave mulling over what you have seen and heard and felt - during this brief experience called The Laramie Project. I want you to research the issues more deeply and perhaps help with the social change starting with this one word: Respect.

Head shots of cast members ©2005-2007 Dan Olson, Studio Z Photography, used with permission. www.studio-z-photo.com
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Cast & Crew Bios - The Laramie Project Show Pictures Director's Notes