Oregon High School Forced to Cancel Matthew Shepard Play

The principal of a school in Oregon, USA, has canceled a community meeting scheduled to discuss her decision to pull the plug on a school production of The Laramie Project, which has been performed at schools across the United States in the years following the murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard (pictured).

Southridge High School Principal Amy Gordon said Wednesday’s meeting was called off to give herself and the rest of the school’s staff a chance to review the play and its implications.

“We need time to review things in a timely manner,” Gordon said.

The Laramie Project chronicles the true story of Matthew Shepard, the 21-year-old gay college student who was severly beaten, abused and subsequently died in Laramie, Wyoming seven years ago. Gordon said she called off the play last week because of growing concerns over the use of profanity and sexual content.

Wednesday’s meeting was scheduled to allow the community to air their grievances over the play’s cancellation. Gordon said that instead of the meeting, she will form a review committee, comprised of students, teachers and local residents.

The production pieces together the events surrounding the killing through the reactions of numerous residents of Laramie and has been used as an educational tool in high schools and colleges across the United States.