Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids Campus Theatre students rehearsing intensely for their fall production of “The Laramie Project,” a contemporary play based on the true-life murder of Matthew Shepard. The production will hit the stage at the Coon Rapids Campus Performing Arts Center, Oct. 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College student Adam Jeska rehearses for his pivotal role in the college’s fall play.

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Anoka-Ramsey Community College student Brett Hedberg shares a heartfelt monologue in the college’s fall play, “The Laramie Project.”

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Anoka-Ramsey Community College student Emily Mould steps forward for a monologue about how the death of Matthew Shepard changed her life in the play, “The Laramie Project,” in rehearsal now for late October performances at the Performing Arts Center.

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Anoka-Ramsey Community College student Peter Kaiser rehearses for one of his numerous roles as the father of a slain, young man in the college’s production of “The Laramie Project.”

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The central action of the play emerges from the murder of college student Matthew Shepard in the small community of Laramie, Wyoming.

Under the direction of new college faculty member, Blayn Lemke, each student actor will perform several roles as community members in a series of monologues. The documentary drama approach of the play examines the prejudice of educational, economic, religious and sexual identity as community members share their personal perspective of Shepard’s death.

“This is a serious play centering on the unfortunate death of a young person, but humor emerges from the varying perspectives of the folks that inhabit the story,” says Lemke. “So I encourage the audience to laugh.”

The public is invited to experience this powerful and timely play, Oct. 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. The subject matter may not be appropriate for children up 13 years of age. The alumni performance is set for Oct. 25. An interpreted performance will be held Oct. 30. Tickets are $8 each and available at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College bookstore, 763.433.1250.

See more information about Theatre classes or the new associate’s in fine arts in Theatre degree. Check out the Theatre web site for further information.