New Tampa Players
The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later
Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris,
and Stephen Belber
Produced with special arrangement from Dramatists Play Service
Welcome to Uptown Stage!
Please silence your cell phones.
There will be a 15 minute intermission.
Please wear a face mask while inside Uptown Stage.
Produced with the Generous Support of
The Cast of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later
Alex Alfonso
Joshua Eberhart
Brianna Filippelli
Dianne Geiger
Cinda Goeken
Thomas Pahl
Blaise Paine
Carol Paine
Jesse Peterson
Brad Roberts
Nancy Sears (Reading Understudy)
Lahiru Wijerathna
Alex Alfonso
Alex is honored to participate in The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. Alex has performed in several productions with New Tampa Players, including Sending Down the Sparrows for the Tampa International Fringe Festival, Violet, Chess in Concert and Legally Blonde. He has also performed in various capacities for Arts in Motion, Spanish Lyric Theatre, Carrollwood Players and Richey-Suncoast theatres. When he’s not doing theatre, Alex works as a teacher in Pasco County.
Joshua Eberhart
Joshua is so excited to be making his return to the stage for the first time in almost 4 years. You will mostly find him backstage or hanging from a light tree. Stepping outside of the shadows and standing next to such a talented cast has been an amazing adventure over the past month. Some of Joshua’s favorite credits include a member of the ensemble for Jesus Christ Superstar, Paul Bratter in Barefoot in the Park, and Uncle Fester in the Addam’s Family. Joshua would like to thank Frank for giving him the opportunity to share such an amazing and powerful story, Nora for always standing by my side and pushing me and this absolutely wonderful cast of friends.
Brianna Filippelli
Bri Filippelli is so excited to return to NTP in this beautiful and important show. She is a Theatre Teacher with Pasco County Schools, and holds a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of South Florida. Some favorite previous roles include Shelby in Steel Magnolias, Lindsay in Godspell, Violet in Violet, Susan in Snapshots, Cosette in Les Miserables, Liesl in The Sound of Music, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Grace in Annie, and Luisa in The Fantasticks. Thanks to Mom and Dad, Pepper, family and friends, and the incredible cast and crew. Biggest shoutout to her wonderful, loving, and talented soon-to-be husband, Jesse, for joining her on this crazy journey. Enjoy the show!
Dianne Geiger
Dianne is excited to be returning to the stage after a long performance sabbatical. Previous NTP shows include “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Mary Poppins” (Mrs. Lark), “The Sound of Music” (Frau Schmidt), “Willy Wonka” (Mrs. Gloop) and “The Music Man” (Maud Dunlop/Pick-a-Little Lady). Dianne also enjoys working behind the scenes in various capacities. In real life, she’s an accountant with a local healthcare system, and most recently her newest role is “Mother of the Bride”. Thank you to Frank for this opportunity, and to Nora and Shelley for “keeping the light on” for NTP!
Cinda Goeken
Cinda was born/raised in Central Illinois and has lived in the local Tampa Metro area for many years—after having been magnetized to the richness and diversity of the local arts scene.
She affectionately calls herself “a theatre nerd” and is experienced in all phases of theatre, including teaching, coaching, directing, performing, stage managing, producing, etc.
Some favorite onstage roles are The Nurse in “Romeo and Juliet,” Philostrate in “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Nettie Fowler in “Carousel,” The Housekeeper in “Man of LaMancha,” Sister Mary Martin of Tours in “Sister Act,” Helene in “Significant Other,”and various characters in “Spoon River Anthology.”
When spending time away from the theatre, she enjoys the company of her two long-hair cats and reading fictional mystery novels.
Thomas Pahl
Thomas is an accomplished actor and director and is extremely excited to be a part of this amazing production! Recently, Thomas has recently appeared at CWP as Heer Schultz in "Cabaret", Vivid Theater as Joe Keller in "All My Sons", at CWP as Canon Pennefather in "Murder on the Nile", Sgt. Cokes in "Streamers", Melvin P. Thorpe in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", Hogan in "Moon for the Misbegotten", Jack in "Arnie and the Itch" Dave Bukatinski in "The Full Monty", and Buttram in "A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody". He also appeared as Dr. Watson in "A Sherlock Holmes Trilogy" and Annas in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' with the New Tampa Players, and many other performances at CWP, NTP, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Salerno, and Masque Theater companies over the years. Thanks to my family and friends and a fantastic cast and crew for the opportunity to perform in this powerful production.
Blaise Paine
Blaise is proud to make their first time in the spotlight “Laramie Project: Ten Years Later,” in hope that Matthew Shepard’s critical place in American queer history will be understood and remembered by the present generation.
Blaise is a member of the Mayor’s Youth Corp, learning about city government, public speaking, and leadership. Blaise enjoys playing the guitar, both acoustic and electric. Blaise also enjoys a rotating assortment of other pursuits.
Blaise would like to thank their parents, friends, and director G. Frank Meekins for this opportunity.
Carol Paine
New Tampa Players has always been a family affair for Carol. After years of working backstage and front of house and supporting her many family members in their various pursuits on and off stage, Carol is making her debut on the New Tampa Players stage. Her last on stage performance occurred before most of this cast was even born. Nevertheless, she is excited (and a little nervous) to be a part of this production. Her biggest involvement with NTP has been with the Penguin Project, a program that involves children of all abilities in the theater. She considers the Penguin Project to be one of the best things she is involved in and encourages everyone to check it out.
Jesse Peterson-Timmons
Jesse Peterson-Timmons is returning to stage for the first time in 10 years. Previously he played such unknown parts as Donovan in Donovan's Daughters. He is currently enlisted in the United States Air Force. He is supported by his beautiful and wonderful future wife Brianna Filippelli, and the wise a wonderful dog that lives under his bed named Pepper. He would like to thank everyone for coming out and showing support to local theater.
Brad Roberts
Brad is both thrilled and humbled to return to the stage with a work so impactful and relevant. Since receiving a BFA from the University of Tampa in Music Theatre, he has continued performing with various groups in the Tampa Bay Area and throughout Florida, and is currently the music director and choreographer for the Penguin Project with NTP. He is incredibly thankful for Frank, Nora, and the entire cast and crew for their dedication and devotion to this production; his partner Bernard for always encouraging him to be his best self, and their cat Ianto for always reminding him to take a moment and relax; and the New Tampa Players for continuing to support both himself and the arts as a whole.
Lahiru Wijerathna
As his first theater performance, Lahiru “Ru” Wijerathna is excited to be in “The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later”. Also, he is proud to be along such a talented cast and especially thankful for Frank and Nora for working diligently on this special project!
G. Frank Meekins, Director
Originally from Boston, Frank moved to Tampa in 1998 and since that time has worked with many local high school and community theatre groups throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. He musically directed NTP’s first production, They’re Playing Our Song, in addition to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Music Man, Camelot, Annie, Pippin, She Loves Me, Beauty and the Beast, Addams Family, Legally Blonde, Annie, and Little Mermaid. He directed and musically directed NTP’s productions of A Grand Night for Singing – Rodgers and Hammerstein Musical Revue, The Sound of Music, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, Mary Poppins, Into The Woods, Quilt, and Snapshots. Involved in all aspects of musical theatre from set design and construction to lighting design and execution, from stage management to directing and musically directing, Frank has participated in over 350 productions throughout New England and Tampa Bay including A Chorus Line, Les Miserables, Chicago, Urinetown, Honk, Mame, Hello Dolly, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, The Boyfriend, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, All Shook Up, Perfectly Frank, Anything Goes, Caba-ret, Gypsy, Tommy, La Cage aux Folles, Rag-time, Little Shop of Horrors, Baby, Damn Yankees, Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, Into the Woods, I Do – I Do, Jane Eyre, A Little Night Music, West Side Story, Evita, Where’s Charley, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Once Upon a Mat-tress, Carousel, Big River, Footloose, Pirates of Penzance, South Pacific, Whoopee, Bells are Ring-ing, Brigadoon, Bye Bye Birdie, Cabaret, Nun-sense, My Fair Lady, Oliver, No No Nanette, Sweet Charity, Brigadoon, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Legally Blonde as well as the operas Carmen, Turandot, and Die Fledermaus. Frank often participates in various events with the Florida State Thespians. Upcoming projects include Children of Eden. He would like to thank his partner of 21 years, Tim Huff, for all his support.
Production Team
Stage Manager: Nora Paine
Lighting: Joshua Eberhart, Craig Hartfield
Props: Barbara Trax
Crew: Roe Peterson
Set Construction:
Keith Postle, Ken Price, James Cass, Frank Stinehour, Chris Stinecass, Nate Stinecass, Katherine Walczak, David Walczak, Sigrun Ragnarsdottir, Inga Bjornsdottir, Michael Bonassar, Chris Cordero, Mark Weisenmiller, Joshua Eberhart, Craig Hartfield, Dave Giles, Shelley Giles, Alex Alfonso, Blaise Paine, Lahiru Wijerathna, and Brad Roberts.
Production Manager: Joshua Eberhart
A Note from the Director:
On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was tied to a fence, brutally beaten to death, and left for dead in Laramie, Wyoming. A month later, the Tectonic Theater Project arrived in Laramie to interview the Laramie community about Matthew and his murder. Through an extensive workshop process, the Tectonic Theater Project created The Laramie Project from these interviews and their experiences in Laramie. The Laramie Project has been performed all over the world and has prompted social dialogue about hate, bigotry, and how they led to Matthew's murder.
Ten years later, the Tectonic Theater Project went back to Laramie and interview many of the same community members, newer residents in addition to other key players. From these interviews, the Tectonic Theater Project created what you are about to see, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, a look at what happened in Laramie and society in the ten years since Matthew's death.
So often in our society when there is a tragedy, the media rushes in and interviews the friends, the families, and the community. It makes headline news for a few days, weeks, or months, and then the story goes away. But the ripples of that tragedy continue for lifetimes beyond the initial incident. There are so many things that we can learn from Laramie: What does change look like? How do we shape our story and tell our story? How do we deal when our story does not reflect our own self-image?
What you are about to see is a collection of short scenes and vignettes that are based on real interviews with real people whose lives were affected by Matthew's death. It is an unique challenge to direct a production that is based closely on real people-- who have been in the news, in news stories, and have their own memoirs. We hope that you see a twinkle of these people in our performance tonight.
There are many people who have dedicated much of their time over the past month to make Matthew's story and the story of Laramie come alive on our stage. Thank you to our cast-- this production is difficult emotionally and artistically, and you have risen to that challenge. Thank you to Nancy Sears and Carol Paine who came in this week and delved right into the roles of Judy Shepard, Deb Thomasen, Marge Murray, Susan Swapp, and Nikki Elder. Thank you to Joshua Eberhart and our entire production crew for creating this amazing canvas to tell this story and to my right-hand partner in crime, Nora Paine. Nora tirelessly keeps all of us on track! Thank you to my partner, Tim, for his unending support.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to our audience for supporting live theatre and New Tampa Players.
-G. Frank Meekins
Thank you to all of our volunteers who have worked so hard to make this production of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later
possible.
Carrollwood Day School
Carrollwood Players
Carrollwood Cultural Center
Derek Baxter
Craig Hartfield
Gene Kish
Jim Russell
Todd Wiener
James Cass
Blaise Paine
Support Live Theatre
Thank you so much for supporting New Tampa Players, the arts, and live theatre through your presence tonight. As NTP reopens and recovers from COVID, your financial support is crucial. With reduced seating, your support can help bridge the gap between ticket sales and operating and production expenses, keeping us financially healthy and able to provide diverse and accessible performing arts opportunities.
About Uptown Stage
Welcome to Uptown Stage, New Tampa Player’s new space! For your safety and the safety of those around you, please wear a mask while you are inside Uptown Stage. Restrooms are located in the main mall near Burlington Coat Factory. Maps are provided at the front of the theater.
Thank you so much for supporting New Tampa Players and live performance!
Our Next Production
The Black Nativity
Written by Langston Hughes
Music by Aaron Robinson
“His tone has that intimate, elusive, near-tragic, near-comic sound of the Negro blues, and is equally defiant of analysis” is how a critic described this work by Langston Hughes, who mentions Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman as his main literary influences. As a young man, Hughes participated enthusiastically in the activities of the Karamu Players in Cleveland, and later he was to found Negro theatres in Harlem, Los Angeles and Chicago. He wrote a number of plays and musicals before creating what he calls “the Gospel Song-Play” … which is Black Nativity. First performed at the York Theatre and then at President Kennedy’s International Jazz Festival, it went on to cause a sensation at the Festival of Two Worlds at Spoleto, Italy. A New York Times critic reporting from Spoleto wrote, “Sophisticated Italian audiences greeted Black Nativity with enthusiasm, taking part in the singing and hand clapping and insisting on curtain call after curtain call.” The staid Rome newspaper Il Tempo wrote, “The elegant festival public appeared to have forgotten itself, lost in this rhythmic wave that overwhelmed it, an integral part itself that bound stage and auditorium in a mystical fusion.” In London, Oslo, Brussels, Copenhagen and Rotterdam, Black Nativity triumphed before its return to New York and the then-new Lincoln Center. Black Nativity is designed for you to add the music of your choice (from spirituals to traditional carols or your original compositions) and dance. This thrilling holiday piece will have your audiences on their feet!
Produced with special arrangement from Dramatic Publishing
Produced with the generous support of Hillsborough Arts Council, Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, and Florida State Division of Cultural Affairs