During the first two weekends of October 2024, the Loma Linda University School of Religion, in conjunction with the Humanities Program, hosted a powerful production of The Laramie Project, directed by Brady Greer Huffman. With a runtime of 90 minutes and no intermission, the play immersed the audience in the profound and unsettling exploration of the life and death of Matthew Shepard, a young man in the LGBTQIA+ community from Laramie, Wyoming. This production, filled with raw emotion and stirring performances, brought the audience face-to-face with themes of humanity, tragedy, and the complexities of sexuality and identity.
The play opens with uncertainty. As the audience is introduced to numerous characters, they are left wondering what has transpired. Slowly, through each scene, the truth begins to unfold—the brutal attack and death of Matthew Shepard. The five actors, each portraying multiple characters, added depth to the performance, as they seamlessly oscillated between genders, ages, and accents.
One of the play’s most compelling aspects is how it captures the emotional weight of the community’s reaction to Matthew’s death. The actors brilliantly conveyed the tensions and frustrations present in Laramie at the time, as well as the deeply human struggles with grief, loss, and identity. The nuanced storytelling of The Laramie Project delves into the heart of tragedy and the ways in which sexuality intersects with faith, human rights, and politics, challenging the audience to consider their own perspectives on these issues.
The timing of the play's presentation was particularly poignant, as it coincided with the anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death. The first weekend of the show had marked the anniversary of his brutal beating—timing that, according to Huffman, seemed almost divine.
Following one of the performances, a panel discussion was hosted by Zane Yi, Associate Dean at LLU School of Religion. Panelists included John Walsh, Chaplain Emeritus at University of Redlands; Dillys Brooks, Chaplain at LLU; P.K. Kittipha, MSN, critical care nurse practitioner at LLUH and sponsor of SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance) on campus; and Dr. Alex Dubov, Associate Professor at LLU School of Behavioral Health. The panel shared their reactions to the play and discussed its broader themes of grief, violence, and the misuse of religion to propagate unbiblical ideas. Walsh, who has seen multiple variations of The Laramie Project, remarked, "Every time I see it, I wonder what we’ve learned." He recalled the emotional intensity when Matthew’s death first made headlines and reflected on how little has changed. His final remarks were, "My son's name is Matthew, and he’s gay," highlighting the personal and emotional resonance the play had for many in the room.
The discussion touched on the challenges the Seventh-day Adventist Church faces in addressing the fear and silence surrounding LGBTQIA+ stories.
In an interview with Huffman, I asked about his inspiration for choosing The Laramie Project. He explained that it stemmed from the headlines surrounding the tragic hate crime against Nex Benedict, a young non-binary student, which deeply impacted him. "I felt it was time to present a play at LLU that touched on issues of gender, sex, and the hatred often displayed by religious communities toward our LGBTQIA+ members," Huffman said. "The Laramie Project was the perfect play to speak to these themes." Huffman’s passion for the project was evident in every detail of the performance, from casting decisions to the creative process of adapting the play for five actors, each taking on multiple roles.
When asked why this play was particularly important to stage at an Adventist institution, Huffman turned to his fellow actor, LLU anatomy professor Dr. Kenneth Wright, for a response. Wright emphasized the importance of inclusivity and showing care for everyone within the community. "The university has made an effort to demonstrate that there is room at the table for all of God's children. With the current political climate, it’s more important than ever to hear voices other than our own,” he said.
Though there are no plans for additional performances of The Laramie Project, Huffman shared that the team is already turning their focus to the spring production. "It’s another powerful play that brings up controversial themes we need to grapple with," he hinted.
The Laramie Project at Loma Linda University was not only a moving and emotional experience, but a necessary reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Through powerful performances and thoughtful direction, the play served as a poignant reflection on humanity, love, and the need for change in how we approach these critical conversations.
Article by: Ezrica Bennett
