Posted on 09/10/2005 8:53:51 AM PDT by DuckFan4ever
Some say it's a shame that Southridge won't perform the work about a gay man
BEAVERTON -- Southridge High School's principal has stopped production of a controversial play due to profanities and sexual content.
But members of the theater community say "The Laramie Project" is under attack because it features a character who is gay.
"Southridge has prided itself on being diverse," said Jason Kniss, a 2005 Southridge graduate. "And if the school district and principal were to take this out, it would conflict with the founding principles there."
The play chronicles the true story of 21-year-old gay college student Matthew Shepard, who was killed seven years ago in Laramie, Wyo. The production, which has been performed at schools across the country, including Hillsboro's Century High School, pieces together the events surrounding the killing through the reactions of dozens of Laramie residents.
Southridge theater arts director Wade Willis says he selected the play for its educational value and the challenge it would present student actors.
"Everything I hear about presenting something 'controversial' is that you have to put forth all sides," Willis said Friday. "You can't be more complete than this in presenting multiple points of view."
Willis is holding a community meeting 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Southridge High auditorium to hear reaction from parents, students and community members.
Maureen Wheeler, Beaverton School District spokeswoman, said the play is considered controversial because it contains profanities and sexual content. Willis also failed to have the selection reviewed by Principal Amy Gordon under the district's controversial materials policies, Wheeler said.
Gordon could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.
Bill Johnson, Century High theater instructor, said "The Laramie Project" met initial resistance from Hillsboro school officials but eventually ran after profanities and one sensitive scene were removed.
"We looked at it from a discrimination standpoint," Johnson said. "It's a murder story and the victim happened to be gay, and that's why he was killed. Why is this any different from Anne Frank, who was killed for her religion, or 'Romeo and Juliet'?"
Amy Hsuan: 503-294-5954; amyhsuan@news.oregonian.com
Generators belong outside!
The power was restored today, we're still having rolling brownouts and it will probably be a week before normalcy returns.
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