Concordia students lead 2017 annual One-Act Play Festival

Published by Concordia University, Nebraska 8 years ago on Tue, Apr 4, 2017 11:44 AM

Students of Concordia University, Nebraska, will be performing four one-act plays during the annual One-Act Play Festival, running April 6-8, 2017. The festival begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre in the Music Center on campus.

“This year’s directors chose four comedies, including larger ensemble shows, a play in the Italian “commedia dell’arte” style, and a dark comedy,” said Bryan Moore, associate professor of communication and theatre. “The shows have proven to be a fun challenge for the directors and actors, and the audience will benefit from the variety of topics and comedic styles presented.”

The festival is a component of Concordia’s play production course in which the students direct short plays. They each select a play, conduct auditions and rehearse with the cast, culminating in a weekend of their plays.

This year’s performances include “Check Please” by Jonathan Rand. This show presents vignettes featuring a guy and girl on blind dates with quirky individuals. Students will also perform “13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview,” by Ian McWethy, in which two interviewers attempt to find one more student to recommend for their college, but their choices are not promising. Also being presented is “The New Mrs. Jones” by James Armstrong, which is a dark comedy. Finally, “Genre” by Wade Bradford. This comedy explores the many different storytelling styles.

Performers include (in order by play and then student’s state, city, and last name):

“Check Please”

  • Dylan White, junior, Lexington, Neb., director
  • Allison Caudle, senior, Greeley, Colo., assistant director
  • Samantha Pietanza, freshman, San Diego, Calif., playing Linda
  • David Krueger, sophomore, Aurora, Colo., playing Guy
  • Rebekah Rusert, junior, Truman, Minn., playing Melanie/Sophie
  • Jenna O’Laughlin, junior, Winona, Minn., playing Watiress
  • Julia O’Laughlin, freshman, Winona, Minn., playing Mary
  • Eric James, sophomore, Omaha, Neb., playing Ken/Brandon
  • Ian Hendrickson, junior, Seward, Neb., playing Manny
  • Lindsey LaMountain, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Pearl/Mimi
  • Brodie Oshel, freshman, Seward, Neb., playing Louis/Mark
  • Abigail Wichael, sophomore, Seward, Neb., playing Girl
  • Alberto Barrientos, senior, El Paso, Texas, playing Tod

 “13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview”

  • Chris Genszler, junior, Oregon, Ohio, director
  • Breann Huber, freshman, Arvada, Colo, assistant director
  • Samantha Pietanza, freshman, San Diego, Calif., playing Eve
  • David Krueger, sophomore, Aurora, Colo., playing Brett
  • Bethany Schilling, freshman, Littleton, Colo., playing Interviewer 1
  • Emily Writebol, sophomore, Parker, Colo., playing Jessi
  • Anne Jesgarz, sophomore, Shelbyville, Ill., playing Bernice
  • Cole Humble, freshman, Leavenworth, Kan., playing Harold
  • Rachel Krome, freshman, Fairmont, Minn., playing Producer
  • Ann Spilker, senior, Ashland, Neb., playing Kelly
  • Andrea Wiese, senior, Ashland Neb., playing Lily
  • Peyton Wallage, sophomore, Lincoln, Neb., playing Maria
  • Melonie Kotschwar, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Jacey
  • Lindsey LaMountain, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Kimberly
  • Emma Heidorn, junior, Utica, Neb., playing Emily
  • Alberto Barrientos, senior, El Paso, Texas, playing Melvin
  • Rachel Dorn, junior, Houston, Texas, playing Elizabeth
  •  Victoria Cameron, sophomore, Kent, Wash., playing Interviewer 2

“The New Mrs. Jones”

  • Libby Klein, freshman, Seward, Neb., director
  • Dorian Doremus, senior, Seward, Neb., assistant director
  • Cole Humble, freshman, Leavenworth, Kan., playing Mr. Harris
  • Rebekah Rusert, junior, Truman, Minn., playing Elizabeth McKay
  • Julia O’Laughlin, freshman, Winona, Minn., playing Mrs. Jones
  • Ian Hendrickson, junior, Seward, Neb., playing Sam Jones

“Genre”

  • Emily Jensen, senior, Sioux City, Iowa, director
  • Emily Kollbaum, senior, Seward, Neb., assistant director
  • Delaney Doremus, junior, Grimes, Iowa, playing Mama Bear
  • Dane Pedersen, junior, Columbus, Neb., playing Papa Bear
  • Chelsea Irwin, junior, Lincoln, Neb., playing Goldilocks
  • Eric James, sophomore, Omaha, Neb., playing Narrator
  • Faith Bohaty, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Baby Bear
  • Madeleine Luehr, junior, Wood River, Neb., playing Princess
No topics.