Acclaimed Play On Bullying, Homophobia, And Hate Crimes The Laramie Project Opens February 15 At Adelphi University Performing Arts Center

Adelphi University graduate and Creative Arts Therapist, Denise Fehrenbach comes back to her alma mater to direct the thought provoking Laramie Project with a cast of eight playing over 60 roles. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) January 13, 2011 - From February 15 until February 20, Adelphi's Department of Theatre presents The Laramie Project, a docu-drama by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project in the Olmsted Theatre at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (AU PAC), 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY. Directed by Denise Fehrenbach '76, M.A. '90, the cast of eight actors play more than 60 roles. On October 6, 1998 in Laramie, WY, 21-year-old college student Matthew Shepard was targeted and beaten because he was gay. He subsequently died from his injuries. The Tectonic Theater Project-an ensemble of New York City actors under the direction of Mr. Kaufman-made several trips to Laramie over the next year to interview its affected citizens. Out of those candid interviews, came The Laramie Project, which the New York Post describes as, "an amazing piece of theatre... [that] leaves us sadder, wiser and tentatively more hopeful."

Ms. Fehrenbach is delighted to return to her alma mater to direct this moving piece of theatre. Her work in the field of mental health has made her an advocate for the rights of the mentally ill, who are also easily victimized. "My daily contact has sharpened my awareness and increased my empathy for the victims of violence or discrimination of any kind. This play is particularly pertinent today when incidents of abuse and bullying have increased in the past year and the targets are specifically youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or simply perceived to be." Denise Fehrenbach believes that, "The Laramie Project is a wonderful vehicle to encourage discussion about diversity, tolerance, and acceptance." Famed openly gay actor Sir Ian McKellan responded to the creation of this play by saying that, "…I am very proud that it should've been a group of actors who have helped to bring this story to the rest of the world."

Denise Fehrenbach is a member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). She received her B.A. in theatre from Adelphi and returned to receive an M.A. in theatre education, followed by several years of teaching Adelphi's freshmen actors alongside Professor Emeritus Jacques Burdick, who chaired the Adelphi Department of Theatre when she was an undergraduate. Her previous Olmsted works include her original adaptation of Ayn Rand's novel Anthem and the musical Godspell with the help of Adelphi's Director of Music Michael Hume. After receiving an M.A. in creative arts therapy from Hofstra University in 2005, she became a licensed and board certified creative arts therapist who has conducted individual and group psychotherapy services with children, adolescents, and adults in inpatient and outpatient settings. Ms. Fehrenbach has most recently worked as an art therapist in a behavioral health program assisting mentally ill adults from Nassau County.

Individual tickets for this event are on sale now and will be available at the door for $15, $10, or $7 depending on seating. To learn more about AU PAC's 2010-2011 season, please visit aupac.adelphi.edu or call the AU PAC Box Office at (516)877-4000.

About Adelphi University: Adelphi is a world class, modern university with excellent and highly relevant programs where students prepare for lives of active citizenship and professional careers. Through its schools and programs-The College of Arts and Sciences, Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Honors College, Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, and the Schools of Business, Nursing, and Social Work-the co-educational university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as professional and educational programs for adults. Adelphi University currently enrolls nearly 8,000 students from 41 states and 60 foreign countries. With its main campus in Garden City and centers in Manhattan, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie, the University, chartered in 1896, maintains a commitment to liberal studies in tandem with rigorous professional preparation and active citizenship.

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