Actor's Rep Examines the Real Reason Behind A Tragic Shooting in the Play "columbinus"

Jan. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Actor’s Rep Examines the Real Reason Behind A Tragic Shooting in the Play “columbinus”

"columbinus" (lowercase intended) is a documentary drama that probes the psychological warfare of alienation, hostility, and social pressure that goes on in high schools across America.  It was sparked by the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Jefferson County, Colorado.

Bob Carter’s Actor’s Workshop & Repertory Company (Actor’s Rep) will produce the show at the Stonzek Theatre, 709 Lake Ave., Lake Worth. The show previews Thurs., Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. and opening night is Fri., Feb 11, at 8 p.m. It will run Sat., Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sun., Feb.13 at 2 and 7 p.m., and Fri., Feb. 18 and Sat., Feb 19, both at 8 p.m., and Sun., Feb. 20 at 2 p.m.

The first act of the play is set in a stereotypical, fictional American high school and follows the lives and struggles of eight teenage archetypes.

These characters are not given names but labels, and the two outcast friends designated in the script as Freak and Loner are slowly driven to crime and madness by the bullying from their classmates. In Act 2, these boys become Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, in scenes taken from their videos and personal journals, illustrating the days approaching and including the shootings and the suspects' suicides. The other cast members become survivors, victims, and townspeople who reflect on the events.

Directed by Bob Carter, the cast, all local high school students who are studying acting, includes: Carson Hausmann, Lake Worth, Park Vista High School as Erick Harris; Ilana Rothmann Lake Worth, G-Star School of the Arts, as Rebel; Allans Schancho, Greenacres, G-Star, as Dylan Klebold; Mariah Telesca, Boynton Beach, G-Star, as Perfect; Jahaan ElRaatib, West Palm Beach, G-Star, as Faith; Cassie Enright, Jupiter, Boynton Beach Community High School, Performing Arts Academy, as Cassie; Albert Fermin, Lake Worth, Park Vista High School, as Jock; Austin Abbott, Loxahatchee, Seminole Ridge High School, as AP; Sean Donahue, Boca Raton, G-Star, as Prep.

The United States Theatre Project, headed by the originator of the idea, PJ Paparelli, created the play.  Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli wrote it, with dramaturgy by Patricia Hersch.
Artists with the United States Theatre Project conducted exhaustive interviews and research in order to create the two-part piece that first sets up a fictional but realistic world of adolescence that could be anywhere in America, and then morphs into the factual events leading directly to the school shootings at Columbine.

Ultimately, "columbinus" asks more than just "Why?", but perhaps more importantly, "Why do people treat each other the way we do? "columbinus" is a fascinating and heartbreaking examination of human behavior.

Tickets ($20 adults and $10 students for Feb. 10 preview) are $25 adults and $15 students, and may be purchased at www.boxofficetickets.com or by calling 1-800-494-8497, or at the Stonzek box office one hour prior to show time.

“An unnerving study in adolescent angst, columbinus relentlessly paints a bold picture that bears witnessing … it merge the facts of the Columbine massacre with a harrowing impression of what life is like in high schools today. “ —Star-Ledger

. “Mr. Karam and Mr. Paparelli have captured authentic notes of adolescent anxiety and yearning in briskly drawn scenes.”  —New York Times

“A powerful and important piece about the churning rage that's all too likely to bubble over again one day.” —New York Post

"This one comes right from the gut … highly theatrical and deeply disturbing." —Variety


For more information, call Artistic Director Bob Carter at 561-301-2588.

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Actor’s Rep., a 501 (3c) non-profit organization, is now in its thirty-second year. Since 1980, the company has been known for its strong training programs for actors of all ages, and its productions of daring, avant garde, and seldom-seen classic plays. New classes are underway for children, teens, and adults, and these include beginning and advanced acting and improvisation. Arts middle and high school audition preparation workshops are also available.