SHSU Update for Week of Sept. 29

'The Laramie Project' Examines Town's Reaction

Shows are at 8 p.m. with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The play details Laramie, Wyoming's coming to terms with the brutal 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard. Shepard was a student at the University of Wyoming, and his death came at the hands of two Laramie locals. A media event occurred when the young men used "gay panic" as their defense.

In response to the tragedy, the New York based Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie and interviewed its residents in order to gain an understanding of the town's reaction to the crime. The results of these interviews make up the script for "The Laramie Project."

The show is an ensemble piece that includes eight SHSU actors portraying 60 different roles. Director Penny Hasekoester's cast is composed of SHSU theatre and musical theatre majors including seniors Sofia Gomez, Joel McDonald and Spencer Plachy, juniors Kregg Dailey, Haley Dyes and Sarah Ripper, and sophomores Kevin Crouch and Chelsea Dyan. Senior theatre major Crys McDonald is stage manager.

Production coordinators include SHSU theatre faculty member Shawn Fisher for set, senior musical theatre major Amber Fussell for costumes, Paul Copenhaver for lighting, and junior theatre major Connor Bartley for sound.

Tickets are $8 and can be ordered by calling the University Theatre Center box office at 936.294.1329.

The play contains adult language and situations. For more information, contact Hasekoester at 936.294.1330.

Victim Studies Institute Hosts Innovative Workshop

The seminar was developed to provide basic Spanish language skills to victim service providers who may come in contact with Spanish-speaking victims of crime. Twenty-five victim services professionals from around Texas participated in the seminar taught by SHSU foreign language professors Andrea Bacorn and Joaquin Rodriguez-Barbera.

"It was a very valuable experience," said Bette Berns of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in San Antonio. "The seminar has motivated me to continue learning this language and given me confidence to communicate with Spanish-speaking crime victims."

Addition "Survival Spanish for Victim Services Providers" seminars are being planned in various locations throughout the United States. For more information about the seminars or about the National Institute for Victim Studies, contact James Marquart, director of the Institute, at 936.294.1657.

The mission of the National Institute for Victim Studies is to promote national public awareness and understanding of victim issues, and to prepare victim services professionals through academic programs, continuing education, and scholarly research.

Flu Shots for Students

Supplies are limited and the vaccine will be given on a first come, first served basis.

The Health Center will administer the vaccine Monday-Friday 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. The Health Center is located at 128 Ave. J. Students can call 936.294.1805 for more information.

Tune Up the Instruments

The Sam Houston State University Bearkat Marching Band will perform Saturday evening for the high school bands.

On Nov. 2, the annual Marching Band Festival will be held at Bowers Stadium.

Teacher Job Fair

The event will take place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. in the Bernard Johnson Coliseum.

For more information, contact the Office of Career Services at 936.294.1713.

Biological Sciences Seminar

Pyron's lecture is a part of the Department of Biological Sciences Seminar Series. The lectures are open to the public.

SHSU Update

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SHSU Media Contacts: Frank Krystyniak, Julia May
Sept. 29, 2002
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