Student-directed one-acts offer a fresh perspective

by Bryan Blanks
Courier Staff

Six MC juniors have stepped into the director’s chair for a night of student-directed one-acts. Tonight will be the last of two performances showing at 7:30 p.m. in the Wells Theater and consists of a variety of genres.

Tickets for the student-directed one-acts are $2 and will be sold at the door.

Shows being presented include: “Dalmatian,” a comedy directed by Lauren Swanson; “Bed Time,” a drama directed by Leanna Wilson; “Billy Goat’s Gruff,” directed by Kevin Litwin; Tennessee Williams’ “Chalky White Substance,” directed by Michelle Anstett; an excerpt from “Private Eyes,” directed by Greg Malak and a musical medley, directed by yours truly.

The student-directed one-acts have become a tradition for the MC theater department. Each year, as a component of the directing class, students are required to direct a 10 to 15 minute show. The students are responsible for conducting auditions and have three weeks to rehearse the production.

With six directors all rehearsing a show at once, Wells Theater has surely been occupied. Student director Anstett stated, “It’s nice to see so many new faces come in and out of the theatre each night.”

A number of offstage efforts goes into producing a show, even if the production is only 10 to 15 minutes long. William Wallace, professor of communication and theater arts, teaches the directing class and oversees the work done by the young directors. With the assistance of Professor Wallace, students are able to receive insight from a highly experienced director who knows the tricks of the trade.

The students in the directing class consist of both theater majors and non-majors and the one-act directing project provides them with the opportunity to apply their knowledge of theater onto the stage. The shows being presented will provide a range of theatrical experiences for those in attendance and audience members will be able to laugh along with some shows and feel the strong sentiment from others.