This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Northeastern chapter.
Name: Christie Chen
Year: Freshman
Major: Theatre and Media and Screen Studies Minor: Film Studies
Student Involvement: Northeastern Cheerleading, Silver Masque, CAMD Creative Leaders Program
Tell me what columbinus is about.
columbinus is a docudrama that revolves around the chilling events that occurred prior to, during, and after the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Northeastern’s adaptation of columbinus not only illuminates the past and current issue of teenage violence, but it goes deeper and challenges the stigma of school shootings. We are trying to de-glorify, and truthfully explain the horrific events that occurred on that day. Developed by Stephen Karam and PJ Paparelli from interviews with teenagers across the country, as well as with the survivors and community members, this show is a demonstration that Columbine could have been any other high school, past or present. columbinus opens February 24th and tickets can be bought on myneu!
What part do you play?
I play the role of Faith, who is inspired by one of the victims of Columbine, Cassie Bernall.
Is this your first Northeastern production?
Yes! Our theater club on campus, Silver Masque, hosts biweekly open-floor gatherings where I have participated in improv performances, but this will be my first department show.
What were some of the challenges of your role, especially since the play is such a heavy topic to touch on. What was it like to put yourself in the role?
The biggest challenge of putting myself into the role of Faith was learning to separate myself from the situation without losing connection with the character. In order to tell the story truthfully, it is so important to remember that the people were are playing were, and in some cases still are, actual people. It’s easy to get lost in all of the emotional aspects of the play and center it around yourself, so it is crucial to take a breath and step back for one second to remember why we are putting on the show in the first place.
What is ReAct?
ReAct is a series of post-play gathering with the cast and Northeastern faculty in which the play’s topic and themes will be discussed. We encourage you to stay after the show to talk with us about your thoughts, feelings, and questions about the show, Columbine, and teenage violence.
What is your favorite thing about the production and what do you hope Northeastern students take away from the show?
My favorite aspect about the production is our set and the way the actors have utilized the reflecting pool of water for our internal monologues, which are staggered throughout the show. We also have a set of monkey bars and a platform ramp that is the core of our stage.
I sincerely hope that students and faculty who come to see the show will leave with a different attitude towards the stigma of school shootings, shooters, and teenage violence in general. I hope that viewers come to realize that any given school shooter might not necessarily meet the stereotype of the profile that our society has created over the years; and that not one person, parent, bully, video game, or music genre can be singled out and blamed for terrible massacres like Columbine. This show has tore our cast apart and brought us back together in the most unexpected ways that I could ever have imagined, and my hope is that anyone who comes to see the show will understand how valuable a strong, tight-knit community can be in trying times.
Get your tickets on myneu today!