Matt Galloway Character Analysis in The Laramie Project

Matt Galloway was the bartender at the Fireside Bar on the night that Matthew Shepard was murdered. Matt Galloway admired Matthew, calling him the perfect bar customer. He testifies in Matthew’s court case as a key eyewitness. Matt regrets that he did not realize Matthew was in danger as he left with Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson that night, wishing he could have foreseen what was happening and stopped it. Because of his proximity to Matthew on the night of his attack, Matt Galloway feels drawn into activism after the murder, and he participates in many pro-LGBT demonstrations.

Matt Galloway Character Timeline in The Laramie Project

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

Homophobia, Tolerance, and Acceptance Theme Icon

...came into the bar for a beer. Matt Mickelson suggests that the interviewers talk to Matt Galloway , the bartender. Matt Galloway tells them that Matthew showed up alone around ten-thirty and... (full context)

Matt Galloway says that on that night at around eleven forty-five, Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson, Matthew’s... (full context)

Violence, Punishment, and Justice Theme Icon

Matt Galloway says he saw Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson talking to Matthew Shepard after they came... (full context)

...often felt lonely, and he thinks that being alone must have made Matthew more vulnerable. Matt Galloway resumes his account of the events of the night, noting that he is an eyewitness... (full context)

Next, Matt Galloway and Matt Mickelson, bartenders at the Fireside bar where Matthew Shepard was last seen at... (full context)

Religion, Morality, and Prejudice Theme Icon

...describes her new feelings of fear walking down the street with her son. Meanwhile, bartender Matt Galloway processes his guilt, wishing he had noticed something was wrong the night of Matthew’s murder... (full context)

Matt Galloway , the bartender at Fireside the night of Matthew Shepard’s attack, participated in the parade.... (full context)

Act Three opens with different characters talking about their experiences at Matthew’s funeral. Matt Galloway speaks first, saying that the day of the funeral was snowy, and the funeral took... (full context)

...Aaron to be put to death, but he hopes Aaron is locked up for life. Matt Galloway agrees. (full context)

...finally understood that God wanted him to find Matthew Shepard so he didn’t die alone. Matt Galloway says he is happy the case is over and that he found testifying very difficult. (full context)

...Belber talks about how Doc O’Connor asked them to write a book about Laramie, and Matt Galloway offered them a place to stay and asked if the play would have open auditions. (full context)