Laramie Project Support

The plays The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later have become essential sources of education and change in communities in this country and across the world, produced thousands of time by schools, community theatres, faith-based organizations and mainstream theatre groups. The Matthew Shepard Foundation is proud to offer help for those who wish assistance in mounting a production.

Our Laramie Project Specialist, Susan Cunningham Burk, is a theatre professional and veteran broadcast journalist. Ms. Burk  is charged with leading and strengthening the Foundation’s support system for school and community productions of The Laramie Project,, including educational materials, audience/cast “talk-back” sessions, production advice and historical context.  She can provide personal insight, photos and other resources help cast members gain a personal connection to the story they are telling. Ms. Burk has strong backgrounds in theatre, journalism and Matthew’s story. At the time of Matthew Shepard’s murder, his funeral, and the trials of his killers Ms. Burk was the Executive Producer/Senior Anchor for the evening news at KTWO Television. Based in Casper, KTWO-TV was the statewide NBC affiliate, and it was Ms. Burk’s primary responsibility to arrange and implement coverage for all of these events, including community reaction and response. She produced an award-winning news series on the filming of HBO’s production of The Laramie Project and appeared in the film, and has also acted in both of the Laramie Project plays. Ms. Burk, who was a professional actress in Chicago and other areas of the country,  works in collaboration with the shows’ creators, Tectonic Theater Project.

Contact Us to find our how we can support your production.