The Laramie Project at The 5 & Dime

Up next at The 5 & Dime, a Theatre Company, is The Laramie Project, opening Friday, June 15.

The production is being presented 20 years after the attack on Matthew Shepard. In 1998, Shepard, age 21, was kidnapped, severely beaten and left tied to a fence in Laramie, Wyoming. He died several days later in the hospital as a result of the abuse he suffered. Shepard was victimized and assaulted 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 of those 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. The Laramie Project is a breathtaking collage that explores the depths to which humanity can sink as well as the heights of compassion.

The 5 and Dime’s production of The Laramie Project is directed by Lee Beger and stage managed by Emma Carbone. The cast includes Brian Niece, Stephanie Santiago, Rhodie Jackson, Kristin Livingston, Hays Jacobs, Valerie Anthony, Jennifer O’Brien, Joshua McTiernan, Jan Peter Buksar, Kyle Reeves and Cory Simmons.

Performance are offered June 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and July 1. Curtain is at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be a special Pay What You Can performance at 8 p.m. on Monday, June 18. No reservations. First come, first serve. Cash or credit. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $17 online before June 14. $22 online after June 14 and $25 at the door. For tickets, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-laramie-project-tickets-38742096654.

The 5 & Dime is located at 112 E. Adams St. in downtown Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.the5anddime.org.