Wisconsin youth LGBT theater troupe performing show to send anti-hate message

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) -- Proud Theater, an LGBT Youth theater troupe in Wausau, is covering a dark story from America's recent history, the brutal murder of student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998.

The play "Laramie Project: 10 Years Later" is about the town of Laramie 10 years after the murder takes place and it's about how the crime shaped the town's identity and the resident's opinions of the LGBT community.

"I feel like it just brings us around to the fact that we are all humans and this happens, but we can move forward with it, with the help of others in our community," said Proud Theater troupe member Paulena Heil.

Heil says this message of moving forward and being accepting is something the students want to spread throughout the Wausau community.

The play will be taking place at the Wausau Community Theatre January 19-20 at 7 p.m.