The two one-act plays are "The Actor's Nightmare" and "WASP."
The Wayne State College Theatre Program will present two satirical one-act plays Thursday through Sunday, March 27-30, in the Black Box Theatre, located on the lower level of the Peterson Fine Arts Building on campus.
Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 per person, and tickets are available at the door. Admission is free for Wayne State students, faculty, and staff with their college ID. There are no reserved seats, and seating is limited.
“The Actor’s Nightmare,” by Christopher Durang, is a comedic glimpse into George’s mistaken identity as an actor’s understudy. Without warning, George finds himself on stage where he can’t remember his lines, recall rehearsing, or find out the production’s name. Scenes inexplicably shift from “Private Lives,” to “Hamlet” to “A Man for All Seasons,” forcing George to improvise. He tries desperately to escape this horrible ordeal, convinced it is just a bad dream. “The Actor’s Nightmare” confronts the fear of failure and inadequacy.
Directed by Mollie Young, adjunct professor of theatre at Wayne State, the play runs approximately 30 minutes. “The Actor’s Nightmare” is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.
Cast members for “The Actor’s Nightmare” include:
- Ashton, Iowa – Ethan Frangenberg
- Bee – Mariya Corner
- La Vista – Ava Jane Albracht
- Murray – Ella Lewis
- Omaha – Isaac Richards
- O’Neill – Reggie Roessler
- Wayne – Hunter Peardon
“WASP,” by actor-comedian Steve Martin, is a cynical parody of 1950s societal culture. An acronym for White-Anglo-Saxon Protestants, “WASP” reveals a family deeply rooted in tradition. Dad is the authoritative parent. Mom is the perfectionist homemaker, characteristic of the era’s gender inequality. The son idolizes his dad yet longs for his affection. The daughter mirrors her mother’s low self-esteem and lack of self-worth. All yearn for validation, intimacy and personal identity. The risks of emotional reticence and stifling restraint are on full display. “WASP” contains mature content.
Directed by Rusty Ruth, associate professor of theatre, “WASP” runs about 40 minutes and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Cast members for “WASP” include:
- Carleton – Gracie Hinz
- Fort Calhoun – Cayden Otte
- Gothenburg – Jackson Nelson
- Hemingford – Teran Hunter
- Lincoln – Madison Pavlik
- Stuart – Mary Belle Hamilton
- Valley – Nevin Hayner
The production team for both shows includes Brian Begley, associate professor of theatre at Wayne State, as the technical director, fight director, and scenic/lighting designer; and Anna Bjorklund, assistant director of admissions at Wayne State, as the costume shop manager and costume designer. Bjorklund also serves as the costume shop manager and designer for some productions by the Wayne Community Theatre.
Wayne State students on the production team are:
- Missouri Valley, Iowa – Mariah Pleskac, costume designer
- Omaha – Maria Sellers, sound designer and sound board operator
- Columbus – Ayanna Morales, assistant director and stage manager
- Grand Island – Madison Dvorak, stage manager
- Alliance – Ethan Plog, assistant stage manager
- Wausa – Hannah Kleinschmidt, assistant stage manager
- David City – Angel Carias, house and box office manager
For more information, contact Rusty Ruth at [email protected] or Mollie Young at [email protected].