Performances include three plays per night, with each night beginning at 7 p.m.
The Wayne State College Theatre Program will present three evenings of student-directed one-act plays Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 24-26, in the Black Box Theatre, located on the lower level of the Lied Performing Arts Annex of the Peterson Fine Arts Building. Each evening’s 7 p.m. performance will include three different one-act plays, with the show schedule yet to be determined.
Tickets are $5 per person and are available at the door. There is no reserved seating and seating is limited. Wayne State students, faculty, and staff will be admitted free with their college ID.
Ashly Gunderson of Ida Grove, Iowa, directs the tense thriller “Heat Lightning” by Robert F. Carroll. The plot follows a terrified girl seeking refuge and survival in a bus stop terminal after seeing something she shouldn’t have seen. The cast includes Reese Soukup of Ulysses, Neb., Robbie Rohlfs of Omaha, Neb., and Taren Hunter of Hemingford, Neb.
“The Mice Have Been Drinking Again,” by Cleve Haubold, is directed by Ethan Knight of South Sioux City, Neb. The comedy ponders the life of a young couple with a scatterbrained roommate. Hilarity ensues as the couple strategize removal of the vexing irritant. The cast consists of Gracie Hinz of Carleton, Neb., Victoria Harrington of Omaha, Neb., Katie Stodieck of Schuyler, Neb., and Jackson Nelson of Gothenburg, Neb.
Avery Partida of Ord, Neb., directs the feel-good “Pink Lemonade for Tomorrow” by Ruth Angell Purkey. The story unfolds when two teens cross paths. One struggles with his parents’ divorce. The other wrestles with her father’s death. Together they lean into greater happiness and maturity. Cast members include Anna Wells of Ceresco, Neb., Maria Sellers of Omaha, Neb., Reggie Roessler of O’Neill, Neb., and Hunter Peardon of Reidsville, N.C.
“Whoppers,” by Le Wilhelm, is directed by Kyle Hubbell of Le Mars, Iowa. This comedy scrutinizes a husband-and-wife fishing expedition, the battle for two enormous fish, and a hilariously huge misunderstanding. The cast features Macie Ebmeier of North Platte, Neb., and Mariia Fedorova of Taylors, S.C.
Maria Ostry of Fredricksburg, Texas, directs the charming comedy “Happy Birthday Girl” by Molly Ann Mullin. The story follows a lonely young career woman celebrating her birthday alone. Wishing for someone tall, dark and handsome, a magical imp appears with the gift of self-discovery. Eleonora Cagnetta of Cesano Maderno, Italy, and Nevin Hayner of Valley, Neb., make up the cast.
“Clara and The Gambler,” by Jason Milligan, is directed by Alycia Gage of York, Neb. This melodramatic Western-style comedy explore the events surrounding a gambler’s poker prize of another man’s bride-to-be and her reaction. Cast members include Ella Lewis of Murray, Neb., Ethan Frangenberg of Ashton, Iowa, and Trey Bukaske of Wayne, Neb.
Evald Brodd of North Bend, Neb., directs Edward Albee’s “The Zoo Story.” This suspenseful play explores loneliness, desperation, social disparity, and the struggle for connection. The cast includes Eve Gilmore of Sioux City, Iowa, and Ben Bjorklund of Wakefield, Neb.
The satirical comedy “Time Flies,” by David Ives and directed by Mariah Pleskac of Missouri Valley, Iowa, weaves a love story between two mayflies. Just as sparks fly, the two learn they have a lifespan of one day. This lesson on how time slips away features cast members Mary Belle Hamilton of Stuart, Neb., Riley Gausman of Columbus, Neb., and Ava-Jane Albracht of La Vista, Neb.
“Gendermat,” by Mark Dunn and directed by Rowan Knight of Papillion probes the complexities of human relationships. Four actors create four breakup stories, advancing the lesson that rejection and lost love are universal. The cast includes Kore Quimby of Ralston, Neb., Kat Hutchison of Washingtonville, N.Y., Jesse Brewer of Correctionville, Iowa, and Cedar Palmer of Bellevue, Iowa.
Each play runs 10 to 30 minutes. Rusty Ruth, associate professor of theatre, is directing advisor. Brian Begley, associate professor of theatre, is the technical consultant. Maria Sellers serves as sound designer.
For more information, contact Rusty Ruth [email protected].