From Columbine to San Bernardino, school violence is becoming more and more frequent in the US.

FUHS Theatre’s production of “Bang, Bang You’re Dead” tells the story of a teenager named Josh who is driven by insanity to kill his parents and several of his classmates, due to pressure from the voices in his head and bullying at school.

Loosely based on the 1998 shootings at Thurston High School in which perpetrator Kip Kinkel also blamed “the voices” in his head, the show focuses on the mental torment Josh endures, haunted by the souls of his victims and the feelings he has before and after the tragedy takes place.

Sophomore Devin Ricklef plays the role of Josh.

“[Josh] is a regular teenager, and he’s kind of shy and awkward,” Ricklef said. “[He] feels singled out, he feels like the entire world is laughing at him.”

Though Josh is mostly a recluse, he is not exactly alone. Sophomore Abigail Lange plays Emily, Josh’s best friend and one of his victims.

“[Emily] is one of the only characters who’s actually there for him,” Lange said. “I feel that Emily doesn’t really know what to do, but she tries her hardest to understand.”

The play ultimately serves to show the audience the reality of a situation of this magnitude, and how it influences not only the person committing the crime, but the lives of the victims and everyone involved.

“The play doesn’t really give you an answer,” Ricklef said. “It tries to show you differences in morality and gives you insight on the the taking of life, but at the same time it’s showing you what would drive somebody to do that.”

“It’s a tough show, it’s been hard to work through,” Lange said. “For audience members who have been affected by this it hits very close to home, we want to make it very personal and touching, and help other audience members understand that this is real life.”

“Bang, Bang You’re Dead” opens today at 6p.m., and will run through Friday. Tickets will be sold at the door.