JC
John Cunha
  • Class of 2019
  • Middletown, RI

John Cunha of Middletown featured in URI Theatre's production of "columbinus"

2016 Feb 24

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.

URI student John Cunha of Middletown, RI, will be featured in the play as Prep.

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 the URI Theatre department website 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.