April 13, 2015

Friday evening, Nick was honored to join his friend and local arts advocate Stan Penkin and his family for the opening night of Oregon Children’s Theatre’s moving play, Columbinus.

The provocative and powerful play follows the tragic 1999 school shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Columbinus stitches together interviews, police evidence, and the private diaries of the Columbine shooters to offer a thoughtful and disturbing look at one of the worst school shootings in history.

The young actors (from Portland-area schools) did a superb job with very difficult subject matter. Columbinus is for ages 15 and up, and continues through April 19. Tickets are available online or at the door.

As Portland’s Arts Commissioner, Nick is proud that our community has strong and dynamic nonprofits like the Oregon Children’s Theatre. Since 1990, OCT has provided outstanding theater, arts education, and even an acting academy for local youth. Thanks to Portland voters, the Theatre also receives financial support through the Arts Education & Access Fund (arts tax)!