List of Characters
Sherry Aanenson
Sherry is the landlord of Russell Henderson, one of the individuals convicted in the murder of Matt Shepard. She describes Russell as "so sweet."
Baptist Minister
The Baptist Minister, who prefers to remain anonymous, believes the Bible condemns homosexuality.
Stephen Belber
Stephen is a member of the Tectonic Theater Project who visited Laramie, conducted interviews, contributed to writing the play, and played himself and several other characters in the production.
Dr. Cantway
Dr. Cantway is an emergency-room physician at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie. He was involved in efforts to save Matt Shepard's life and described Matt's injuries as resembling those from a car crash at "eighty miles an hour."
Catherine Connolly
Catherine is a professor at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and identifies as the "first 'out' lesbian or gay faculty member on campus." After Matt Shepard's death, she feels a deep sense of fear and is reluctant to walk alone on the streets.
Rob DeBree
Rob is a detective sergeant with the Albany County Sheriff’s Department in Laramie. He serves as the lead investigator in the case of Matt Shepard’s murder.
Philip Dubois
Philip is the president of the University of Wyoming. Although he is relatively new to the state, he prefers Wyoming over big-city life. He once believed that Laramie was a safe place to raise a family.
Tiffany Edwards
Tiffany is a reporter based in Laramie. She describes the media frenzy that descended on Laramie after Matt Shepard’s death was publicized as being like "predators."
Reggie Fluty
Reggie is the police officer who responded to the 911 call and was tested for HIV after trying to save Matt Shepard’s life. She was the first officer to arrive at the scene.
Leigh Fondakowski
Leigh is a member of the Tectonic Theater Project who went to Laramie to conduct interviews. She appears in the play but does not portray herself or any other characters.
Matt Galloway
Matt was the bartender at the Fireside bar and a student at the University of Wyoming. He saw Matt Shepard leave with Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney on the night of the murder. He later regretted not intervening to prevent the tragedy. Unlike some, he does not believe Shepard would have approached the two men.
Jim Geringer
Jim is the governor of Wyoming. He condemned the "heinous crime" but stopped short of labeling it a hate crime. A reporter challenged him on his lack of advocacy for hate crime legislation.
Amanda Gronich
Amanda is a member of the Tectonic Theater Project who traveled to Laramie for interviews. She portrays herself and several other characters in the play.
Russell Henderson
At twenty-one, Russell offers Matt Shepard a ride home but then brutally assaults and robs him, leaving him to die. Initially pleading not guilty, Russell later changes his plea to guilty and receives a life sentence.
Rebecca Hilliker
Rebecca leads the theater department at the University of Wyoming. Having recently relocated to Wyoming, she finds the people there generally kind. She appreciates that her students are "free thinkers," distinct from others she's taught. “You may not like their opinions,” she remarks, “but they are honest.”
Sergeant Hing
Hing, a detective with the Laramie Police Department and a third-generation resident, provides a historical overview of Laramie at the play's outset.
Sherry Johnson
Sherry, an administrative assistant at the University of Wyoming, feels dismayed by the media attention Matt Shepard's death receives, noting the lack of coverage for a slain Laramie policeman.
Aaron Kreifels
Aaron, a University of Wyoming student, was biking the night Matt Shepard was attacked. He discovered Matt tied...
(This entire section contains 1264 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
to a fence and called for an ambulance, believing that God led him to find Matt by taking an unusual route.
Doug Laws
Doug, the Mormon Church leader in Laramie, asserts that God’s word defines a family as “one woman and one man with children.”
Aaron McKinney
Aaron, one of the young men who offered Matt Shepard a ride home on the night of his murder, is tried and found guilty.
Bill McKinney
Bill, Aaron McKinney's father, argues that if the victim had been a heterosexual man, “it never would have made the national news.” He worries that his son will be judged guilty before his trial.
Matt Mickelson
Matt owns the Fireside Bar, the last place Matt Shepard was seen. He shares some of the bar's history.
Marge Murray
Marge, Reggie Fluty’s mother, was deeply concerned about Reggie contracting AIDS from Matt Shepard after providing him medical care. A lifelong Laramie resident, Marge knows nearly everyone and offers insights into the town’s culture. However, upon learning her information might be used in a play, she decides to withhold some details.
Doc O’Connor
Doc, a limousine driver, occasionally drove Matt Shepard to Colorado. Originally from the East Coast, Doc has lived in Wyoming for many years and shares his thoughts on Laramie's residents. He liked Matt Shepard “'cause he was straightforward.”
Andy Paris
Andy is part of the Tectonic Theater Project and traveled to Laramie to conduct interviews and assist in writing the play. In the production, Andy portrays himself and various other characters.
Romaine Patterson
Romaine was a dear friend of Matt Shepard and affectionately nicknamed him “Choo-choo.” Her fondest memory of him is his “beaming smile.” She recalls how he was friendly with everyone. During his funeral, she and her friends wore angel costumes to shield the attendees from Fred Phelps’s protesting group.
Jon Peacock
Jon is a political science professor and served as Matt Shepard’s academic advisor at the University of Wyoming. He played a key role in helping Matt open up when he first arrived in Laramie. Jon mentions that Matt was thrilled about pursuing a career in human rights.
Reverend Fred Phelps
Fred is a minister in Laramie known for his extremely anti-gay views. He attended the funeral with a group of protestors, expressing concern that Matthew Shepard was being turned into a symbol for the gay lifestyle.
Greg Pierotti
Greg, also a member of the Tectonic Theater Project, journeyed to Laramie to gather interviews and contribute to the play’s writing. In the play, Greg acts as himself and multiple other characters.
Barbara Pitts
Barbara, a member of the Tectonic Theater Project, traveled to Laramie for interviews and to aid in writing the play. She portrays herself and several other roles in the production. She notes a sign she sees upon entering Laramie that reads: “Hate is not a Laramie value.”
Father Roger Schmit
Roger is a vocal Catholic priest in Laramie who organized a vigil while Matt was in the hospital. He expressed disappointment that other local ministers chose not to participate.
Jedadiah Schultz
Jedadiah is a student at the University of Wyoming. He once loved Laramie but fears that after Matt Shepard’s death, it will be seen as a place of violence, like Waco. He earned a scholarship to the University by performing a scene from the play Angels in America, which addresses homosexuality. His parents refused to attend the play. Despite his minister’s stance against homosexuality, Jedadiah eventually forms his own opinions.
Dennis Shepard
Dennis, Matt Shepard’s father, delivered an emotional statement at Henderson’s trial, declaring he would not pursue the death penalty.
Lucy Thompson
Lucy is the grandmother of Russell Henderson. She pleaded for mercy on his behalf during his trial.
Harry Woods
Harry is an older resident of central Laramie. He openly identifies as homosexual and quietly celebrates the hundreds who join the homecoming parade in Matt Shepard’s honor.