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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Officials hope play will invite tolerance

In 2003, a Lewis and Clark High School production of “The Laramie Project” was stopped by administrators, due to rough language and a shortage of time to prepare students and parents.

Well, get ready again.

The private Saint George’s School in Spokane will be the first area high school to present “The Laramie Project,” at 7 p.m. today and 7 p.m. Wednesday in the school’s Founders Theater, 2929 W. Waikiki Road.

The play, based on interviews of residents of a small Western town, explores reactions to the killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard, whose death made international headlines in 1998.

The Monday performance, a holiday for most, marks the start of a “Focus on Tolerance” week at Saint George’s School.

The week will include readings, reflections and discussions surrounding ideals such as respecting all people regardless of their differences.

Saint George’s leaders spent more than a year mulling over the consequences of producing this play, said school spokesman John Carter in an e-mail.

“We believe this play is primarily about hate and tolerance – not homosexuality.”

Saint George’s School is a college preparatory institution that was founded in 1955. It serves 380 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.