KINGSTON, R.I. – February 9, 2016 — The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department announces the opening of “columbinus” by the United States Theatre Project.
Written by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli, with dramaturgy by Patricia Hersch, “columbinus” examines the realities of adolescent culture by exploring the events surrounding the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo.
This play is a meeting of fact and fiction that weaves excerpts from discussions with parents, survivors and community leaders in Littleton, as well as police evidence, to bring to light the dark recesses of American adolescence. The New York Post said this drama is “a powerful and important piece about the churning rage that’s all too likely to bubble over again one day.”
Performances of “columbinus” will run Feb. 25 through 27 and March 3 through 5 at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances Feb. 28 and March 6 at 3 p.m. in J Studio of the URI Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road on the Kingston Campus. The department will host a post-performance panel discussion entitled “Lessons of Columbine High School” on Feb. 28, free of charge. General admission to all performances is $20, while tickets cost $15 for seniors and URI faculty and staff, and $12 for students. To purchase tickets online, visit tickets, or call (401) 874-5843 beginning Feb. 15.
Guest artist Joe Short will direct this production. He most recently appeared in Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” as George Tesman at the Gamm Theatre in Pawtucket. Costume design is by Alison Carrier, URI Theatre Costume Shop manager; set design is by guest artist Kent Homchick; lighting design is by URI Associate Professor Christian Wittwer; and sound design is by guest artist Mike Hyde.
CAST
Actor, Character, Hometown
Belamy Brophy-Baermann, Loner, Providence
Raymond Fournier, AP, East Providence
Emily Carter, Faith, Scituate
Diego Guevara, Freak, Providence
Steven Carvalho, Jock, Pawtucket
Laura Kennedy, Rebel, South Kingstown
Christine Dickinson, Perfect, Woonsocket
Emily Turtle, Female Understudy, Barrington
John Cunha, Prep, Middletown
Pictured above
From left, Christine Dickinson, of Woonsocket, portrays the character Perfect, Emily Carter, of Scituate, portrays Faith, and Laura Kennedy, of South Kingstown portrays Rebel in the University of Rhode Island Theatre Department’s upcoming production of “columbinus,” a play that examines the realities of adolescent culture by exploring the events surrounding the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Performances begin Feb. 25 at the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Rd., in Kingston.
Diego Guevara, left, of Providence, portrays Freak and Belamy Brophy-Baermann, of Providence, portrays Loner in the University of Rhode Island Theatre Department’s upcoming production of “columbinus,” a play that examines the realities of adolescent culture by exploring the events surrounding the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Performances begin Feb. 25 at the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Rd., in Kingston.
The University of Rhode Island Theatre Department presents “columbinus,” a play that examines the realities of adolescent culture by exploring the events surrounding the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Performances begin Feb. 25 at the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Rd., in Kingston. Pictured above, back row, from left are: Diego Guevara, left, of Providence, who portrays Freak; and Belamy Brophy-Baermann, of Providence, who portrays Loner; middle row, from left: John Cunha, of Middletown, as Prep, Christine Dickinson, of Woonsocket, as Perfect; and front row, from left: Raymond Fournier, of East Providence, as AP, Steven Carvalho, of Pawtucket, as Jock; Emily Carter, of Scituate, as Faith; and Laura Kennedy, of South Kingstown, as Rebel.