With Laramie Project students take on Matthew Shepard story

REHEARSAL: Year 13 drama students at John Paul College preparing for their upcoming production. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Year 13 John Paul College drama students are taking on a huge feat portraying the aftermath of a grizzly crime in their upcoming school production.

Titled The Laramie Project, the play revolves around the death of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay University of Wyoming student who was brutally beaten, tortured and left to die on the night of October 6, 1998.

John Paul College head of drama Gabrielle Thurston said the senior drama class had taken the project on with sincerity and commitment.

"These students wanted to take on something more meaty and not frivolous. It is a fantastic play with very relevant themes."

Ms Thurston said a key person in the aftermath of the tragedy was Father Roger Schmit, a Benedictine monk, who was a part-time instructor in the religious studies programme on the University of Wyoming campus.

"Father Schmit was much admired for his learning, kindness and commitment to the students. He was galvanised by the horrendous crime and was the organiser of the now famous community vigil for Matthew."

Ms Thurston said while the themes were adult, society as a whole would benefit from seeing the play.

"I've seen the play and the morals and messages are very powerful.

"Matthew Shepard doesn't feature in the play so there are no violent scenes but his presence is very much felt.

"The play draws on hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company with inhabitants of the town, company members' own journal entries, and published news reports."

"This historic event changed the world and says a lot about the intolerance and judgment of humanity," Ms Thurston said.

"Although it happened in America, it is an example of what schoolyard bullying can lead to and could just as easily happen in New Zealand."

The production will be shown at the Casa Blanca Theatre on August 8 at 7.30pm, and August 9 at 2.00pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are available from John Paul College.