The Laramie Project is a 2000 American play by Moisés Kaufman about the reaction to the 1998 murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming.The murder was denounced as a hate crime and brought attention to the lack of hate crime laws in various states, including Wyoming.
CongregationHouse Productions is thrilled to present this Reader’s Theater presentation of The Laramie Project. A breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink and the heights of compassion of which we are capable.
The Story
In October 1998, a twenty-one-year-old student at the University of Wyoming was kidnapped, severely beaten, and left tied to a fence in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming. His bloody, bruised, and battered body was not discovered until the next day, and he died several days later in an area hospital. His name was Matthew Shepard, and he was the victim of this assault because he was gay.
Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project made six trips to Laramie over the course of a year and a half, in the aftermath of the beating and during the trial of the two young men accused of killing Shepard. They conducted more than 200 interviews with the people of the town. Some people interviewed were directly connected to the case, while others were citizens of Laramie, and the breadth of the reactions to the crime is fascinating. Kaufman and Tectonic Theater members have constructed a deeply moving theatrical experience from these interviews and their own experiences in Laramie.
There will be one 20 minute intermission. Wine, Beer, and Beverages will be available through out the evening.
Director’s Notes: Our performance tonight consists of eight actors representing nearly seventy individuals interviewed by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. These interviews, woven together, tell the store that is The Laramie Project. The goal this evening is not to identify each of these individuals, rather to sit back and hear their stories. In doing so, we may gain insight and perhaps get a little closer to being able to answer the same question they asked twenty-five years ago, How did this happen?
Abe Lincoln
Abe is making his fourth appearance at the CongregationHouse Theatre, and he couldn’t be happier to contribute to such a profound and impactful production. His recent portrayal of Macbeth at Cuesta Performing Arts’ Shakesperience was well-received. Before that, he graced Morro Bay and Cambria community theaters and showcased his versatility in various roles for Cal Poly Shortcuts Films and the SLO Film Festival. Occasionally, Abe ventures to Los Angeles for minor roles in web series and has also appeared in commercials.
Abe Lincoln: Aaron Kreifels, Andy Paris, Detective Sergeant Hing, Doug Laws, Judge, Moises Kaufman, Rev. Fred Phelps, Rulon Stacey, Russell Henderson’s Mormon Home Teacher, Shadow
Jeffrey Bruenning
Jeffrey is honored to be a part of this production of The Laramie Project and for this story to be told, once again. Jeffrey has been singing and acting since high school and has over 30 shows under his belt. Favorite roles include Micheal in I Do! I Do!, Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, Billy Crocker in Anything Goes, and Dr. Chumley in Harvey. Jeffrey and his wife, Jeannie moved to the central coast from Chicago in 2008. He is a marketing director by day and is also the Director of Music at UCC SLO Congregational Church.
Jeffrey Bruenning: Dennis Shepard, Doc O’Connor, Dr. Cantway, Harry Woods, Greg Pierotti, Kerry Drake, Phil LaBrie
Delilah Curtis
Returning for her second production with CongregationHouse, Delilah has renewed her love for the theater.
When Delilah is not perfecting English accents and eloquently delivering literation, she is managing sidekick superheros.
Delilah Curtis: Kristin Price, Leigh Fundakowski, Newsperson, Rebecca Hillier, Reggie Fluty, Reporter, Romaine Patterson, Zubaida Ula
Max Chase
Max is humbled to be a part of such an incredible production. This is the first time he has played more than one role on any given night! You may remember him playing the roles of Brian Sewer (The Whiskey Murder, 2024)and Barry (Caffeinated, 2023) through Congregation House. Before that, he took acting classes at Linfield College and played the roles of Eric, Sneake, and Eino (Shanghaied in Astoria, 2006-2009) through the Astor Street Opry Company based out of Astoria, Oregon.
Max would like to thank all of the gay friends he had growing up in a small town on the Oregon Coast, especially Jason B., Colton H., Dawson S., and Ross G., as well as Joel, the first married gay man he ever met. He also would like to thank his husband Shane and all of his close friends and family for their love and support.
Max Chase: Andrew Gomez, Arron McKinney, Father Roger Schmit, Jedadiah Schults, Matt Galloway, Russell Henderson
Diane Lewis
Diane Steinberg-Lewis is a singer/songwriter/pianist/performer whose musical experiences encompass classical to jazz, Memphis to Motown. She has recorded solo albums, composed themes for commercials for radio and television, and sung backgrounds for recordings by Rod Stewart and Steve Miller.
Diane co-starred as Lucy in RSO’s ’78 movie, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and was a radio talkshow host for WQBH in Detroit.
She has worked with and accompanied for many of the choir directors in the Central Coast. She makes guest appearances and is working on various music projects. She and her husband, bassist Kenny Lee Lewis of the Steve Miller Band, reside in San Luis Obispo and performs together.
Diane Lewis: Amanda Gronich, Barbara Pitts, Eileen Engen, Marge Murray, Trish Stiger
Richard Glodo
Richard moved to the Central Coast from St. Louis, Missouri in 2012. This is his fourth production with CongregationHouse. What fun it has been! He is especially honored and humbled to be a part of this production of The Laramie Project.
Richard Glodo: Bailiff, Baptist Minister, Cal Rerucha, Foreman, Gil Engen, Jon Peacock, Judge, Newsperson, Priest
Stephen Sisk-Provencio
Stephen hails from the Central Coast and you might recognize him from previous CongregationHouse events (he was likely serving you a beverage). He is a Social Worker by day and a movie buff by night. His last stage performance was through Santa Maria Youth Theatre, when he was in junior high school. He lives in San Luis Obispo with his husband, Jason, and two kitties, Ella & Tippi.
Stephen Sisk-Provencio: Bill McKinny, Gov. Geringer, Stephen Mead Johnson, Detective Sergeant Rob DeBree, Jonas Slonaker, Matt Mickelson, Philip Dubois, Stephen Belber
Colleen Baird
Colleen Baird is a retired attorney from the Midwest who is enjoying her new adventure in the world of community theatre. Now appearing in her 3rd production with the Congregation House, she is honored to be part of The Laramie Project. It’s a play which she hopes will raise awareness and meaningful conversation on important issues in our community.
Colleen Baird: Alison Mears, April Silva, Bailiff, Catherine Connolly, Lucy Thompson, Minister’s Wife, Tiffany Edwards, Zackie Salmon
Jason Sisk-Provencio
Jason Sisk-Provencio has lived on the Central Coast for 36 years. Jason lives in SLO with his husband Stephen. They met at Starbucks 18 years ago. Jason is a graduate of Cuesta College, Cal Poly SLO, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He has pastored the United Church of Christ in SLO, an Open and Affirming church, for 10 years. Jason loves coffee, cats, philosophy, Star Trek, traveling, and movies. He is developing a new love of acting.
Jason Sisk-Provencio: Narrator
Jeannie Bruenning
Honored to be directing this extraordinary production and gifted group of actors, bringing ideas to life is Jeannie’s motivation. From writing the first words, to envisioning a performance or final production, Jeannie loves the process of creating. A Chicago transplant, she and husband Jeffrey call the Central Coast home.
Jeannie Bruenning: Director
Photos by AustynElizabeth Photograph
CongregationHouse 