Texas Border Business
McAllen, Texas – South Texas College (STC) Theatre is ready to present columbinus by the United States Theatre Project.
Written by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli, dramaturgy by Patricia Hersch and conceived by PJ Paparelli. columbinus will run June 21 – 23 at 8 pm. There will also be a Sunday 2 p.m. matinee on June 24 at STC’s Cooper Center for Communication Arts Main Stage, located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd in McAllen.
columbinus, a play sparked by the April 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO, is a meeting of fact and fiction that illuminates the realities of adolescent culture by exploring the events surrounding the shootings. The play weaves together 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 United States Theatre Project’s smart and sensitive treatment of the event, which traumatized a community and shocked the entire country, stirs up thought and feeling in this ensemble production.
“The play refers back to a national tragedy which occurred nineteen years ago. In nineteen years, we have seen the number of communities shaken to their core and left grieving by these senseless acts of violence grow. It is ripping us apart in ways we cannot comprehend,” says Drama Department Chair Joel Jason Rodriguez. “As the play unfolds, we begin to get a sense as to how this happened, but we are left asking ourselves a list of questions as to why, which we have yet to understand. columbinus leaves us wanting to ask those questions and to take action.”
General admission tickets cost $5. Ticket sales from the June 21 production will go towards the Dr. John F. Carroll Drama Scholarship. This play contains strong language and mature themes. Parental discretion is advised for youth under 13.
Ticket cash purchases can be made one hour before the performance at the box office or in advance online using a credit or debit card.
For additional information about the show or for group rates, call (956) 872-2301 or email drodri72@southtexascollege.edu or jrodriguez@southtexascollege.edu.
 Theatre is ready to present columbinus by the United States Theatre Project.){kind=link}