HPHS Grads & University Rivals: Partner in Theater With First USC/UCLA Student Production to Tell the Story of Columbine

COLUMBINUS, a play by PJ Paparelli and Stephen Karam, will open tonight through May 4th, at UCLA, after the debut opening at USC last weekend. This production is the first-ever student theatrical collaboration between the two schools. Sparked by the April 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, Columbinus, is a meeting of fact and fiction that illuminates the realities of adolescent culture by exploring the events surrounding the shootings. 

HPHS 2012 graduates, Jack Shulruff and Burt Chaikin, childhood friends, had the vision to unite   their two rival universities to create the first ever "cross town" theatrical production.   Jack (UCLA) and Burt (USC)  have been collaborating theatrically since the 8th grade and team up as co-directors of this important, emotional and riveting piece of theatre.

 Both were ignited and moved immediately after reading the play, which explores the pain and  hope of adolescence, and  reminds us of  the importance of taking care of one another.

By uniting two disparate  communities , Jack and Burt symbolically  drive home the message that no matter what troubles, feuds or  struggles we face, everyone can be brought together as one community.  They believe our future depends on it.

Columbinus will be at UCLA through May 1-4.

Check out a short interview with Jack Shulruff and Burt Chaikin on the show Columbinus and why they wanted to bring the two schools together and collaborate on this important theatrical discussion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8u_0ZqPHLk&feature=share&list=PLPsubUeVcVjjuujEyzokW0IrrIDM8aeVp&ind...

And Join the Columbinus Facebook page for more information, tickets and additional photos and interviews and trailer video on the show:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbinus-A-UscUcla-Student-Production/487097031408301?ref=br_tf