The University of Evansville Theatre presents COLUMBINUS, by the United States Theatre Project, Stephen Karam, and PJ Paparelli. Motivated by the April 1999 massacre at Columbine High School, this searing blend of fact and fiction is a powerful piece about the simmering rage in American adolescents that continues to bubble over and cause mass destruction even 20 years past that fateful and tragic day in Littleton, Colorado. COLUMBINUS opens at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 23, in the May Studio Theatre. Additional performances are 7:30 p.m. on Mar. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and at 2:00 p.m. on Mar. 29.
Blake Elliott, a senior stage management major from Cypress, Texas, directs COLUMBINUS. Department Chair Eric Renschler serves as the scenic designer; Miriam Noemi Cortes, a junior from Omaha, Neb., is the costume designer; Associate Professor Stephen Boulmetis serves as the lighting designer; Jackie Pitt, a junior from McKinney, Texas, serves as the sound designer; alumnus Joshua Stallings serves as the Projection Designer; Steph Voteau, a sophomore from St. Louis, Mo., is the dramaturg; Lauren Ward, a junior from Fort Worth, Texas, is the stage manager, and Adam Rager is the technical director.
The cast features first-year student Connor DeWolfe, from Overland Park, Kan.; sophomore Eli Lomax, from Sellersburg, Ind.; junior Madeline J. Malinowski, from Pocatello, Idaho; junior Luke Moran, from Mount Vernon, Iowa; first-year student Jeff Parkinson, from Mercer Island, Wash; sophomore Cassidy Rogers, from College Station, Texas; sophomore Zachary Scalzitti, from Saint John, Ind.; and first-year student McAllister Reed Stowell, from Lakewood, Colo.
COLUMBINUS is not a play but rather a theatrical conversation. The UE Department of Theatre and the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion invite you to join in the conversation by attending two events, Monday, Mar. 16, at 5:00 p.m., in Smythe Lecture Hall, Room 170, Schroeder School of Business Administration Building for a pre-show Flash Panel, and Tuesday, Mar. 31, at 5:00 p.m., in Room 162, Shroeder School of Business Administration Building for a post-show Flash Panel. The topic for both Flash Panels will be an in-depth critical discussion of UET’s COLUMBINUS. These conversations aim to foster an environment where challenging themes are openly discussed as they relate to our campus community and the broader American milieu.
Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $9 for senior adults, students, and UE faculty and staff. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12 p.m. on the day of the performance they wish to attend. Seating is limited and tickets are available by calling 812.488.2031.
