Sparked by the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, Oregon Children's Theatre's columbinus is a meeting of fact and fiction that explores the events surrounding the shootings and brings to light the dark recesses of American adolescence. This powerful ensemble production, drawn from interviews, police evidence, and the private diaries of the shooters, offers a thoughtful look at the events of this tragic day which still resonate 16 years later. Scroll down for photos of the cast onstage!
Presented by OCT's Young Professionals (YP) Company, the play features an ensemble cast of archetypal characters navigating the struggles of adolescence. Two of these characters, "Loner" and "Freak," are revealed in Act II to be Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the teens responsible for the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Thom Hilton, who plays Freak/Eric Harris, says, "We all know that these were people who existed, so to watch this play and say, 'These were people who lived this, who died through this, and they're just being labeled as the stereotypes that we're confronting every day' -- it's a really disturbing and interesting choice on the writer's part." But columbinus shows that there is more to the story than the tragic shooting. "It pulls back the curtain, and you discover that all these kids are human, like you," says Emma Younger, another cast member.The show runs tonight, April 10-April 19, 2015 (April 10th sold out!), playing Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 pm, Sundays at 1:00 & 5:00 pm at Young Professionals Studio Theater, 1939 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland. Tickets: $12 advance purchase, $15 at the door. Box Office: 503-228-9571 or www.octc.org. Due to subject matter this show is recommended for ages 15 through adult; ages 13-14 allowed only with a parent.
Photo Credit: Pat Moran
The cast of COLUMBINUS
The cast of COLUMBINUS
The cast of COLUMBINUS
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