Going Home.

So here we are. Tomorrow morning, 9 am, I will be leaving the Cannon household to head back to West Virginia. I guess I just thought I would write again one last time before I leave Wyoming.

We made it through the performances and I am very proud of the entire company and our show. We had a fantastic response from the community of Sheridan, and absolutely great audiences. I think we did the best we could. Today we had to strike the set and clean the theatre space. It now looks sparkling clean!

I have somehow managed to fit all my clothes and other items into my bags. After accumulating so many things throughout the past six weeks, I must say I am a little impressed with myself for fitting it all in.

Two of our out of state company members have already left for home, and soon I will be the third, leaving only Max and Adam. I guess really the point of this sappy post is to thank everyone who was involved in this project. I can honestly say that it has been one of the best expriences in my life. I have met so many amazing people; people in the cast and crew, audience members, co-workers, "frat house members", and friends. I can say with confidence that I have met some of the best friends here that I have ever had. So thank you to everyone who made this project a reality; you have given me quite an exprience and quite a lot to think about. I hope that I will be back again soon, and I will miss Sheridan, Wyoming and the people here a lot.

"The whole thing ropes around hope."

Lots of Love,
Angie

The parents are coming! The parents are coming!

So, we made it through our first weekend of performances. Each night had new and interesting differences. It was a success and we can't wait for more audiences. Last week we had articles in The Sheridan Press, The Casper Star Tribune and a segment done on KOTA Territory News. The Wyoming Arts Council blog has very generously endorsed our project and we were on the radio again yesterday morning with Kim Love on Public Pulse (you can listen if you go to www.sheridanmedia.com, click on Public Pulse and then Monday). After our matinee on Sunday we participated in a community discussion moderated by Jesus Rios. The panelists were Georgia Foster, Jack Landon, Bob Miller, Lynn Gordon, Max and myself (Grace). It was a good turn out and it was just wonderful to hear what thoughts people had. People really want to talk about these issues, they just don't know where to turn.

Now, we are excited for our friends and families from out of town to come see the show. Last night we cleaned the "Frat House" so it will look nice for the parents and also the donors' dinner we're hosting at the house tonight. This has been and incredible experience and it is hard to think that it is nearing the end. None of us will ever forget this summer.

ROMAINE!

Hey everyone! It's Angie.

I just wanted to let everyone know that we spoke with another character in the play this week. We were fortunate enough to talk to Romaine Patterson on the fourth. Not only did she speak with us on a holiday, but she is very much pregnant. I play Romaine in the Laramie Project, so to speak with her was amazing to say the least. She was much like I imagined she would be given her character in the play. Though we didn't have any specific questions for her and spoke for only 15 minutes or so, talking to her was very reassuring. Because although she has obviously grown since the play was written, talking to her made me feel like I was on the right track. She is a strong independant woman, and it was a pleasure talking to her.

If you want to see what Romaine is up to now you can check out her website at eatromaine.com.

We are all VERY busy, but I am having a fabulous time and love it here. We are very lucky. I am also extremly excited for the weekend and a couple of days to sleep in, perhaps go camping or horseback riding, just relax.

Have a good day!

Angie

Radio

It's Max, again!

Grace and I were on a radio show early this morning! To listen to the show, Public Pulse, go to http://www.sheridanmedia.com/kroe/audio/pulsetue.asf and skip ahead to around the last half and we'll be talking.

I'll try to get it on here as a file as soon as I can figure out copyright issues.

Thanks!

Update, yo.

It's Max! Today just seems to be a day of posting, but it's the only day we have time.

I figured I should give you a bit more of an update on what we're up to, as we haven't really been posting like we should. Everyone now has jobs in addition to their work with No Fog West, meaning we are all extremely busy. I have three and a half free hours a day, counting driving to and from Grace's (about a half hour each way). However, all the work is kind of energizing in a weird way. I don't have time to get in a lethargic mode.

Angie and I are working at Quizno's (which is way better than it seems like it would be) and as farm hands at a horse ranch by Grace's house. It's very Wyoming and it's nice to be outside in the mornings before going to the restaurant in the afternoons.

Rehearsals are going incredibly well. I don't think I have ever been in a play that has run so smoothly. These actors are fabulous. I both tear up and laugh at every rehearsal, which means the acting is very powerful, but it's exhausting to be molding that kind of energy every day. The show has also begun to move beyond just a play. Grace and I are going to be on a panel of a community discussion on what is a community's responsibility towards the prevention of hate. We're also going to be on a local radio show, Public Pulse, Tuesday morning at 9:10 to discuss similar issues and we'll be marching as a company in the Sheridan Rodeo Parade (just to mix it up a bit).

Anyway, thank you again for your support and we'll keep you updated!

Maxling

Us.

Here are a couple of nice pictures of the whole cast.

Back row: Adam, Jordan, Anne, Austin
Middle row: Madeleine, Christine, Max
Front row: Mike, Angie, Grace

gypsies, tramps and thieves and abstinence before marriage

Well, last night the majority of The Laramie Project cast experienced an event that none of them had ever dreamed of witnessing; the Miss Wyoming pageant. With myself, Grace, performing as Cher and Michael Marshall as a member of the rat pack, we were well supported. After a successful first off-book run on Thursday night, we rewarded ourselves with an eclectic mix of Las Vegas performances on the stage of the Wyo Theater. Though odd at times, the overall experience added a strange and interesting dynamic to the out-of-towners' view of Wyoming culture. As the list of bizarre escapades lengthens, our journey is continually taking new turns and teaching us new lessons every day. The combination of late nights and emotional rehearsals leaves us all exhausted every night, but we get up again every day ready to do it again.

LARAMIE!

Hey everyone, it's Angie.

Right now I am waiting to go to lunch with an amazing person named Samy who I have gotten to know here in Sheridan and who is leaving for Africa today! But I wanted to let eveyone know how our trip to Laramie went. Luckily the whole cast was able to go, as well as Samy who let us stay in her apartment near University of Wyoming in Laramie.

We left around 8 am on Saturday and were exhausted when we got there. So we collapsed on Samy's floor. After a brief breather we went to lunch at a Mexican place that was very tasty. We went to Walmart, which is mentioned in the script, and got some supplies. We drove around Laramie itself and saw many of the places metnioned in the play, although some are different now. Samy gave us a tour of the university campus; while there we visited a resource room that was set up after Matthew Shepard was killed. Spectrum, the gay/straight alliance was kind enough to allow us to use the room and look at their library collection.

We saw the University Inn (also mentioned in the play) and the Fireside (the bar that Matt was last seen in. It has since been renamed). We wanted to drive out to the fence where Matt was tied but didn't know where it was. We used textual clues. We still didn't find it. But we did find Vida Voo (I'm sorry, I have absolutely no idea how that is spelled.) It is an absolutely gorgous spot out past the Walmart. A huge rock formation is there and the view is beyong beautiful. It was simply breathtaking and I feel like going there made the trip worth it. It gave us perhaps somewhat of an idea about what Matt may have seen.

The next morning we went out as a cast and had brunch; there was a cycling race happening so many of the roads were blocked. It was helpful just to see what the town we are portraying actually looks like.

On the drive home we decided to stop in Bosler on the way home. It is a small town about 20 miles from Laramie. One of the people mentioned in The Laramie Project is a man named Doc O'Connor. We saw a building with a sign saying Doc's. So we figured, how many Doc's can there be? So Mike, the cast member playing Doc, called him up. He graciously talked with us in his house for a few hours. It was quite an experience to meet him after working on the play.

So there you have it, a shortened version of our very exhausting and interseting two day trip that felt so much longer. It was great and really fun to just hang out as a cast.

Off to lunch. --Angie

On the Open Road

Hello everyone,

This is Adam with an update on the progress of The Laramie Project.

We decided as a cast to travel to Laramie this weekend, which should be a valuable experience as we continue the early stages of our rehearsal process. We plan on visiting locations mentioned in the play, such as the Fireside Bar and the fence outside of Laramie where Matthew Shepard was beaten and left to die. All in all, it should be a very moving weekend.

In addition to visiting those locations, we also plan to meet and collaborate with the Gay-Straight Alliance on campus.

Rehearsals are incredible - even though we are still early in the process it is breathtaking to see the characters that people in the cast have already created.

That's All Folks!
Adam and No Fog West

Casting!

Hey, it's The Laramie Project's director, Max, with our cast list! Forgive me for any typos in this post; I'm exhausted from over two hours of decision making.

The cast will be as follows:

Angie Prichard
Marge Murray, Romaine Patterson, Zackie Salmon, Sherry Aanenson, Waitress, Barbara Pitts, Juror, Newsperson and Narrator

Grace Cannon
Reggie Fluty, Jen, Anonymous friend (male or female), Kristin Price, Amanda Gronich, Eileen Engen, Judge, Skinhead, Newsperson and Narrator

Madeleine Joyce
DJ Shadow, Catherine Connolly, Stephanie Mead Johnson, Trish Steger, Mormon home teacher, Leigh Fondakowski, Foreperson, Newsperson and Narrator

Christine Hottinger
Aaron Kreifels (male), Alison Mears, Sherry Johnson, April Silva, Baptist minister's wife, Email writer, Juror, Bailiff, Company member, Newsperson and Narrator

Anne Gordon
Rebecca Hillicker, Zabaida Ula, Shannon (male), Tiffany Edwards, Lucy Thompson, Judge, Company member, Newsperson and Narrator

Adam Colton
Rulon Stacey, Matt Galloway, Father Roger Schmit, Russell Henderson, Governor Geringer, Conrad Miller, Kerry Drake, Moises Kaufman, Cal Rerucha, Newsperson and Narrator

Mike Marshall
Reverend Fred Phelps, Dr. Cantway, Doc O'Conner, Harry Woods, Rob Debree, Andrew Gomez, Murdock Cooper, Gil Engen, Andy Paris, Juror, Newsperson and Narrator

Austin Bramwell
Baptist minister, Aaron Mckinney, Jedediah Schultz, Greg Pierotti, Sergeant Hing, Matt Mickelson, Juror, Newsperson and Narrator

Jordan Coffey
Dennis Shepard, Doug Laws, Jonas Slonaker, Jon Peacock, Bill Mckinney, Priest at funeral, Philip Dubois, Stephan Belber, Juror, Phil Labrie, Newsperson and Narrator

YAY! I am incredibly excited and anxious to begin working with such a talented cast! Our first rehearsal went very well and I'm impressed by each of our member's acting and willingness. I hope they are all happy with my choices.

I love you all.

Welcome!

Hello! Angie and Madeleine here... This is our first full day with the out of state cast members all within the Cannon household! It's a little hectic today because Susan and Kim are throwing us a "meet-the-community"/Father's Day/BIRTHDAY barbeque...so we're sweeping and organizing and cooking and decorating and getting our socializing-faces on. For anyone who isn't familiar with the play or our project this summer here is an explanation of what we are doing and our goals.

Early this year, a group of college students and local actors came together to form No Fog West Theater, a non-profit company based in Sheridan, Wyoming. Our current production is Moises Kaufman's The Laramie Project.

In 1998, a University of Wyoming student, Matthew Shepard, was brutally murdered because he was gay, completely shaking up the community of Laramie and changing the connotations of the word Laramie forever. A theater company from New York City decided to document this reaction by creating a play based on interviews with a wide variety of people from the town. They took several trips to Laramie and conducted over three hundred objective interviews. A collage of direct transcripts from these interviews became The Laramie Project.

By choosing this production for this summer, we wish to inspire an important dialogue among the people of Sheridan and Wyoming as a whole. We believe that The Laramie Project provides a pro-compassion, non-confrontational forum in which to begin such a discussion. Our company while composed of actors from all over the country, remains grounded in and sensitive to Western culture in regards to the sensitive subject matter this play brings up. Our goal is not to impose an acceptance of homosexuality but to show the consequences we all face by not condemning culturally manufactured prejudices. The Laramie Project is not the story of a gay man's death; it is the story of a town's reaction to hate.

Our production will have a seven show run the last two weeks of July at the Carriage House Theater in Sheridan. If you would like more information or would like to make a tax-deductible donation to our non-profit company please email us at nofogwest@gmail.com or send a check to

No Fog West Theater
Grace Cannon, Chair
P.O. Box 401
Big Horn, WY. 82833

and make checks payable to Tandem Productions, our umbrella organization.

LOVE,
Angie and Madeleine and No Fog West