Marshall High School's Fall Play Spotlights Gay College Student's Murder

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Bernie DeLeo is in the midst of his final year as George C. Marshall High School’s theatre teacher, and he chose a fall play in support of his LGBTQ+ students.

Marshall High School's Statesmen Theatre will open its 2023-2024 season with "The Laramie Project," which centers around the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. It marks the 25th anniversary of Shepard's death, which resulted from an anti-gay attack. Shepard is interred at the Washington National Cathedral, where a remembrance event is planned on Nov. 30.

"I am putting on this play in response to the to the LGBTQ+ erasure that has been increasing in this country over the past few years," said DeLeo. "I have been disturbed by the silencing of LGBTQ+ voices through book bans and censorship of what our students are allowed to read and see."

DiLeo added that he has taught many gay, lesbian, trans and non-binary students over 16 years.

"I felt I owed it to them to take a stand on their behalf. I am proud to work in Fairfax County Public Schools, which is pushing back and defending the rights of these kids to exist," said DiLeo. "Theatre is truly a safe space for many of these students, and they are very motivated to put on this ground-breaking and important play."

"The Laramie Project" by Moises Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project is based off hundreds of interviews of Laramie, Wyoming residents. The play examines the community response and personal impact of the hate crime and promotes the need for tolerance, acceptance and equality.

Marshall High School's "The Laramie Project" will be performed Thursday, Nov. 9 to Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Nov. 11. The play is about two and a half hours with a 10-minute intermission. The box office will open at 1 p.m. for the matinee and 6 p.m. for evening shows. The performances will be held in the auditorium, accessible from Door 13 in the front of the school. Parking is available in the front and back.

Buy tickets at www.statesmentheatre.org or at the box office before performances.