Activism Through Art

By Christopher DaCosta

Junior theater major Justus Vierra is an accomplished performer in both the theater and dance departments. Vierra has acted, danced and sung in approximately 16 shows on the Santa Clara stage and will appear in tomorrow's opening of the harrowing "Laramie Project."

By combining his experience in the dance arena with an intense passion for the dramatic arts, Vierra is able to emerge from behind the curtains and share with the audience a unique rendition of any character, right down to mannerisms and movement.

"Being a very physical actor, dance has helped me to get in touch with my body which helps when I am creating the physicality of a specific character," Vierra said.

After catching the acting bug in seventh grade, Vierra wrestled with choosing a major at Santa Clara - he hesitated to choose theater for fear that the course of study was not practical enough.

"Then I realized that I've never been practical, so why start now? I knew that this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, so it only made sense that I would have it as my major," he explained.

Vierra has developed into a constant fixture in performances at Santa Clara, immersing himself in his craft and aiming to hone his skills. Since fall, he has spent countless hours in rehearsals, weekends perfecting choreography and late nights tailoring costumes for various productions ranging from "Images," the annual dance show, to one-acts.

"It is definitely very hard to be so busy, but it is how I thrive; if I'm not ridiculously busy then I am ridiculously lazy," Vierra said with a laugh. "I love what I do, so I don't mind spending all of my spare time doing it."

Junior Claire Riecke, Vierra's housemate and friend, has had a chance to observe many of his performances and can attest to his character.

"He's inappropriate, loud, obnoxious but witty as hell and somehow gets away with it," Riecke joked. "Justus has an amazing ability to use his talents as a performer to deal with important, complex issues and thus is a powerful activist as well as artist."

His activist nature was prominently illustrated in his memorable racial-oppression themed piece in fall's "Choreographer's Gallery" and now it will continue to be marked by his participation in "Laramie," a show which represents the use of theater as a vehicle for activism and awareness.

"Laramie," directed by theater professor Barbara Fraser, is a distinctive collection of interviews of people from Laramie, Wyo. following the vicious hate crime against Matthew Shepard, a gay college student.

Senior philosophy major Katie Craft, Vierra's castmate, describes the play as a live documentary.

"'The Laramie Project' is a piece of theater that is also a piece of journalism - an explanation and examination of how a town reacts to such tragedy as the beating and killing of Matthew Shepard," Kraft said.

As the 10-person cast transforms into a community of distinct characters, there is an element of newsmagazine and realism that entrances the audience.

"Hundreds of interviews were conducted with people from the town," said Vierra of his latest pursuit. "The bulk of the play is written word for word from these interviews, and that is exactly what makes the show so provocative. The characters are actual people who knew Matthew Shepard, and this play allows you to hear their experience in their own words."

"Laramie" confronts a large variety of social issues head on, according to Kraft.

"It is an attempt through art to inspire conversation on and about issues of hate, homosexuality, religion, community, love and forgiveness," she said.

Both Vierra and Kraft agree that the play's primary purpose is to open up the channels of communication on campus.

"This is a story that must be told, and we as artists have a responsibility to make sure that the audience does not leave the play without realizing the magnitude of hatred that still exists in our society," Vierra said. "Personally, I feel that homophobia is the most accepted form of hatred in this day and age."

"Why do we feel the need to persecute and hate those who are different from us? It is time we start asking ourselves these questions instead of hiding behind our ignorance," he continued.

The characters in "Laramie" pose these questions and various arguments to the audience.

"Honestly, I wish there was more argument about it - because where there is argument and controversy, people listen, or are at least more likely to listen," Kraft said.

Of the array of characters that Vierra portrays, perhaps the one most noted for causing argument is the infamous Rev. Fred Phelps who gained notoriety by protesting with anti-gay sentiments at Matthew Shepard's funeral.

"[He's a] man from Kansas who preaches 'God hates fags' at gay weddings and funerals," explained Vierra. Phelps has been known to follow and picket productions of "Laramie."

Showing his versatility, Vierra transitions seamlessly to portray a gay Laramie resident as well as various other personalities.

"Justus is an excellent performer, to say the least," Kraft said. "He has abilities synonymous [to] a chameleon; able to change on call and fully, at that."

With rehearsals coming to a close and the week-long run of the show fast approaching, Vierra hopes to take the "Laramie" experience with him in the future and communicate its powerful message throughout the community. He encourages students to attend so that they can learn about and help quell future outbreaks of hate.

"It is our responsibility as people to make sure we do everything we can to eliminate that hatred," he said.