Jedadiah Schultz Character Analysis in The Laramie Project

Jedadiah Schultz is a theater student at the University of Wyoming and a Laramie resident. He is one of the first people that the interviewers talk to, at the recommendation of Rebecca Hilliker. Initially, Jedadiah hesitates to express support for Matthew Shepard, though he finds the murder appalling, because his family is against homosexuality. A year later, however, Jedadiah has had a significant change of heart, in part through his work on the play Angels in America. Jedadiah, whose progress the theater company tracks over the course of the entire play, seems to represent the capacity of people to completely change their views and become more open in a relatively short period of time, particularly through the use of tools like art and theater.

Jedadiah Schultz Quotes in The Laramie Project

The The Laramie Project quotes below are all either spoken by Jedadiah Schultz or refer to Jedadiah Schultz. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Homophobia, Tolerance, and Acceptance Theme Icon

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Dramatists Play Service edition of The Laramie Project published in 2001.

Now, after Matthew, I would say that Laramie is a town defined by an accident, a crime. We’ve become Waco, we’ve become Jasper. We’re a noun, a definition, a sign. We may be able to get rid of that…but it will sure take awhile.

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 24

Explanation and Analysis:

Jedadiah Schultz Character Timeline in The Laramie Project

The timeline below shows where the character Jedadiah Schultz appears in The Laramie Project. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

The narrator then introduces Jedadiah Schultz , who discusses how his perception of Laramie changed after Matthew Shepard’s murder. Jedadiah says... (full context)

...are more expressive of their controversial opinions. Rebecca then recommends that the company talk with Jedadiah Schultz. (full context)

Religion, Morality, and Prejudice Theme Icon

Jedadiah Schultz begins his interview by saying he has lived in Wyoming his entire life and his... (full context)

However, Jedadiah Schultz decided to do the scene in the competition against his parents’ wishes, and he received... (full context)

Jedadiah Schultz discusses his confusion about reconciling his personal beliefs with the doctrine of his church. At... (full context)

Jedadiah Schultz answers the question by exclaiming that his parents were shocked to hear that the university... (full context)

...company, says that, on the company’s last trip to Laramie, they were able to see Jedadiah Schultz in Angels in America. Afterward, Jedadiah told the theater company that, although he tried not... (full context)