MSVU faculty have many talents that you may not get to see in the classroom.

Zak ZimmerLike Zachary Zimmer, professor of Family Studies & Gerontology and Canada Research Chair in Global Aging and Community.

Not just an expert in global issues on aging, Dr. Zimmer is also an actor.

When not deep into his teaching and research endeavours, Dr. Zimmer can often be found on the stage. He’s performed in the Halifax area for a number of years, including at the Halifax Fringe Festival.

From September 19 to October 5, he’ll take to the stage with the Dartmouth Players for their production of The Laramie Project.

Written in 2000 by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project, The Laramie Project reflects events surrounding the real life beating, hospitalization and funeral of a young gay man, Matthew Shepard, in Laramie, Wyoming in a hate crime perpetrated in 1998.

The script for this unique play comes directly from interviews conducted with members of the community of Laramie. The transcribed interviews are woven together verbatim into a complex and moving production. The play immerses the audience into the lives of Laramie residents as they react – with anger, bewilderment and sorrow – to a heinous crime and resulting media circus.

Although Matthew Shepard’s death focused worldwide attention on hate, the 2SLGBTQI+ community and other marginalized groups continue to face intolerance and discrimination, keeping The Laramie Project, unfortunately, a relevant and important piece of theatre, 26 years later.

Poster for The Laramie Project. In Partnership with the St James United Church and the Dartmouth PlayersWhen: September 19 to October 5, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays

Where: St. James United Church, 181 Portland Street, Dartmouth

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketpro.

Break a leg, Dr. Zimmer!