Free tickets will be distributed on site on a first-come, first-served basis.

When Ford's Theatre is allowed to reopen, The Laramie Project will resume performances as scheduled.

"On Tuesday, October 1, the Society was told that we cannot perform in Ford's Theatre during the government shutdown, even though we are a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that does not use any federal funding or federal employees for our programming," Ford's Theatre Society director Paul R. Tetreault said in a statement. "We are grateful to our downtown neighbors at the First Congregational United Church of Christ for inviting us through their doors to tell this important story. This weekend will mark 15 years since Matthew Shepard's beating. That milestone will arrive regardless of what happens in Congress. We felt it was vital to find a way to continue telling this story now."

As the government shutdown progresses, the Ford's Theatre Society will be in touch with patrons regarding the status of their performances and programming.

For more information, visit fords.org.