Written By: Stephen Karam
Directed by: Chris Hamilton
On April 20, 1999, in Littleton, Colorado, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School and massacred 12 of their classmates and a teacher before turning their guns on themselves. The entire country was shocked and horrified, and filled with unanswered questions: Why did they do it? Who is responsible? How did they pull it off? The United States Theater Project muses on all of these questions in their explosive first play, columbinus. Composed of interviews of parents, survivors, and community leaders, police evidence, and recordings from the killers themselves, columbinus blends fact and fiction to take a brutally honest, often tragic look at the trials and tribulations of adolescence. Authors Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli see the play as a “theatrical discussion” that brings to light the pain and insecurity of the American teenager, so that we can work to prevent the hate and fear from manifesting itself into another deadly attack.
All proceeds go to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
Performances will be held March 1st-3rd at 8pm in the Student Theater.
FARRAGUT NORTH
Written By: Beau Willimon
Directed by: Molly Bourque
At the ripe-age of 25, Stephen Bellamy is at the height of his career. Charismatic, over-confident, and with an impeccable campaign record, Stephen is the envy of the political arena—and there is no stopping him. Now the press secretary in a heated presidential primary race, the White House is just within reach, until Stephen receives a phone call that changes everything. Soon the campaign, his career, and his sanity are put on the line, paving the way for irrational judgements and unpredictable outcomes. Packed with scandal, deceit, and backroom politicking, Farragut North is a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat right til the very end. Behind the idealistic speeches and grand promises, this play unveils the true motives of not only our nation’s prominent officials, but of mankind as well. Willimon’s work is a timely story about human nature, our innate lust for power, and the lengths we are willing to go to attain it.
Performances will be held March 22nd-24th at 8pm in the Student Theater.
SPEECH & DEBATE
Written By: Stephen Karam
Directed by: Jimmy Blackmon
Assistant Director: Allison Crisostomo
A sex scandal has rocked the city of Salem, Oregon, and three high school misfits find themselves allied, for better or worse, as they attempt to bring down a teacher who preys on his students. The mayor’s been seducing underage boys in chat rooms, and after the newspaper publishes an exposé, sixteen year old wannabe journalist Solomon makes it his goal to take down another closeted pedophile—one who walks the halls of his high school. He seeks help from Diwata, who, on her blog, claims to have dirt on the drama teacher (but may just be angry she wasn’t cast in Once Upon a Mattress). She directs him to Howie, an openly gay transfer student from Portland who only wants to finish his senior year without anyone noticing he exists. Under the cover of a speech and debate team, these three very different teens band together in an attempt to take down the teacher, but in the process they each bring to the surface their own deeply guarded secrets. A dark comedy with five characters, Speech & Debate is a fast paced, poignant and laugh-out-loud funny examination of three people trying to straddle the line between adult ambition and adolescent bravado.
Performances will be held March 29th-31st at 8pm in the Student Theater.
IN THE NEXT ROOM (OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY)
Written By: Sarah Ruhl
Directed by: Melissa D'Anna
Assistant Director: Marissa Cheifetz
In a seemingly perfect, well-to-do Victorian home, proper gentleman and scientist Dr. Givings has innocently invented an extraordinary new device for treating “hysteria” in women (and occasionally men): the vibrator. Adjacent to the doctor’s laboratory, his young and energetic wife tries to tend to their newborn daughter—and wonders exactly what is going on in the next room. When a new “hysterical” patient and her husband bring a wet nurse and their own complicated relationship into the doctor’s home, Dr. and Mrs. Givings must examine the nature of their own marriage, and what it truly means to love someone.
Performances will be held April 12th-14th at 8pm in the Student Theater.
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