Student group University Players debuts ‘Hello Herman’

University Players, an on-campus, undergraduate-run theater production company, will perform “Hello Herman” at 7 p.m. Friday at the IU Studio Theater.

Based off the American drama written by John Buffalo Mailer, the play illuminates 16-year-old Herman Howards’ decision to enter a suburban school and kill 39 students, two teachers and a police officer.

Before his arrest, Howards emails acclaimed journalist Lax Morales some footage of the shooting, saying he hopes to tell his story on Morales’ TV show.

According to the University Player’s Facebook page, the production provides an in-depth look at what makes killers like Herman cause tragedies such as school shootings.

“Hello Herman is a mind-blowing examination of how tragic events like Columbine and Virginia Tech continue to happen in our country. No stone is left unturned as Lax searches for an answer to the question everyone’s been asking but no one has been able to find: Why?” according to the page.

Before opening itself up to becoming a play, “Hello Herman” was a film released in June 2013 by All In Films, an independent production company.

Directed by Michelle Danner, the film appeared at the 16th Annual Hollywood Film Festival last October.

The film also received several award nominations, including the 2013 Monaco Film Festival’s award for Social Relevance.

— Olivia Williams