In today's Internet-dominated society, where anyone can play disturbing flash games reenacting the Columbine massacre or access footage of school shootings on Youtube.com, it's safe to say that violence in schools is a serious problem that doesn't seem to be going away.
With school shootings becoming a regular fixture in the nation's headlines, has the US become too desensitized?
UB alumni Drew Piatek and Gordon Tashjian, co-writers/directors of the play LIT 401 seem to think so. Intending to bring back the shock value of such tragedies as the Columbine and the Virginia Tech shootings, LIT 401 tells the eerily familiar story of two student gunman who open fire on an English class. Their controversial play premiered last semester at UB, taking place in a normal classroom to heighten the realism.
Initially, the artists were met with some resistance in being allowed to perform the play on campus. Despite the initial snags, they have had nothing but success.
Piatek and Tashjian were recently offered the opportunity to have LIT 401 produced by a theatre in Manhattan; the play is set to make its New York City debut early next month.
"It's been clear sailing," Tashjian said. "People have been more than helpful."
After selling out the first showings in Alumni Arena Nov. 30 through Dec. 1 of last year, Piatek and Tashjian submitted the script to Back Stage, an actor's publication based in Manhattan. After reading the script, Manhattan Repertory Theatre contacted them, offering to produce the play.
Following the first production in Alumni Arena, the audience took part in a discussion in which they expressed their initial reactions, and despite the shocking subject matter, the play was generally well received by a very diverse crowd.
"A lot of people couldn't talk afterwards," Tashjian said in reference to the audience's reception of the first showing.
"We intended it to be shocking, and at first we weren't sure if it was successful," Piatek said.
Not only is LIT 401 written and directed by UB alumni, but much of the cast is comprised of members of the UB community. Reprising his role as one of the shooters, referred to in the play simply as C, is Winston Duke, a senior theatre major.
Other students of the theatre department involved in the play include need ages for all if we're going to use years Mike Young and Ashley Trawinski, juniors Sarah Brown and Kelsey Mathes, and freshman Eric Tronolone, along with alumnus Kristin Bentley, all depicting students of the fictional English class created by Piatek and Tashjian.
The two writers went on to discuss the connection between the Internet and the rise in violence in our society, and the ongoing debate on gun control laws.
"[The Internet] gives these kids a podium to contact other kids who are just as disturbed," Piatek said.
According to Tashjian, the gun control debate one in which there may be no easy solution to prevent school shootings and other forms of gun violence.
"One side wants to get rid of them [firearms] completely, and the other wants everyone to have them," Tashjian said. "Neither method prevents it."
Though there seems to be a lack of effective solutions to this growing problem, these two UB alumni are optimistic to do their part in bringing about the changes necessary to repair the damages.
"It's got to be social change," Piatek said. "It's not going to be metal detectors or text messaging. The point of this [LIT 401] is to have people think about these things, and question them."
There will be two more showings of LIT 401 on North Campus April 3 and 4 at 6 p.m. in the Katherine Cornell Theatre, and a recording of the first production will be shown April 1 at Staples Bar on Allen Street in Buffalo. The Manhattan showings will take place April 9 through 11 at 7 p.m. at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre on 303 W. 42nd St. Tickets for the Manhattan showings are $20 general admission and can be purchased by calling (646) 329-6588.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
