Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM: Concourse [B10]

We Are Like This: Verbatim Theatre and The Laramie Project

Presenter: Maura Martine Ronan

Faculty Sponsor: Tom P. Geha

School: Greenfield Community College

Research Area: Theater

ABSTRACT

I am conducting a research project on the art form of verbatim theatre. I will explore the process of constructing a verbatim play and the unique way verbatim plays tell their stories. Verbatim theatre is a powerful tool for expressing humanity as it uses the real words of real people. Specifically, I will research Tectonic Theater Company's process of creating the verbatim play, The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman. Concurrently with this research, I am assistant directing Greenfield Community College's production of The Laramie Project. My research into the history of verbatim theatre and The Laramie Project will inform our theater's production, as well as, my hands-on experience assistant directing will inform my research. In addition to writing a research paper on this topic, I am filming and editing a series of weekly videos documenting our rehearsal process, similar to the documentaries regarding Mathew Shepard's story. Filmed interviews and documentaries were an important part of creating The Laramie Project, and my own docuseries of GCC Theater's production will reflect that. Theatre is and has always been a powerful medium of storytelling and a beautiful reflection of humanity. Verbatim theatre brings a uniquely human and raw aspect to storytelling that I will explore throughout my project.