Concordia students lead 2016 annual One-Act Play Festival

Students of Concordia University, Nebraska will be performing five one-act plays that cover a range of genres including comedy and drama during the annual One-Act Play Festival, running April 7–9, 2016. The festival begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre in the basement of the Music Building on campus.

“We have a nice variety of comedic and serious shows this year, covering a challenging range of social and interpersonal issues,” said Bryan Moore, associate professor of communication and theatre. “The students are collaborating in new ways and working hard to present these stories effectively.”

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 “I, Carpenter” by Greg Oliver Bodine. It tells the story of Rick, whose work on a gazebo comes with some consequences in a drama-filled sequence. Students will also perform “Imperfect Proposal,” a comedy by Lisa Parry, in which a young couple’s faith is tested following a slew of unfortunate events. Also being presented is the comedy “Therapy in the Park” by Doug Hanvey, which follows an anxiety-driven man on his quest to complete a very unconventional therapy exercise.

Two plays that will be presented were written and directed by Concordia students. Michael Duffy will bring his work to life in “A Ministerial Study,” a drama featuring a young pastor tested by the complex interests of a famous author and socialite. Benjamin Leeper wrote and is directing “Death of a Friend,” which uses a present-day courtroom trial to examine the past friendship of two men.

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

“A Ministerial Study”

Christopher Wilson, senior, Fremont, Calif., playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Sydney Heimann, junior, Galesburg, Ill., playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Emily Jensen, senior, Sioux City, Iowa, playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Rebekah Rusert, freshman, Truman, Minn., playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Cadence Klemp, sophomore, Winona, Minn., playing the role of Imani in "A Ministerial Study"

Sarah Brutlag, junior, St. Louis, Mo., playing the role of Wendy in "A Ministerial Study"

Alexander Goodwin, sophomore, Greece, N.Y., playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Peter Deberny, freshman, North Tonawanda, N.Y., playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Jonathan Rippe, freshman, Gretna, Neb., playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Britnee Fear, freshman, Hershey, Neb., playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Michael Duffy, sophomore, Kennesaw, Neb., serving as writer and director of "A Ministerial Study"

Chelsea Irwin, freshman, Lincoln, Neb., playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Abigail Schroeder, freshman, Schuyler, Neb., serving as stage manager and playing the part of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Jordan Schut, junior, Scribner, Neb., serving as assistant director and playing the role of President Nathan in "A Ministerial Study"

Joshua Brumm, freshman, Seward, Neb., playing the role of David in "A Ministerial Study"

Rachel Dorn, freshman, Houston, Texas, playing the role of ensemble in "A Ministerial Study"

Abigail Wisniewski, freshman, Withee, Wis., playing the role of Jean in "A Ministerial Study"

“A Ministerial Study” and “Death of a Friend”

Andrew Crist, junior, Springfield, Mo., playing the roles of ensemble and prosecutor in "A Ministerial Study" and "Death of a Friend," respectively                   

Paul Nelson, junior, Norfolk, Neb., playing the roles of ensemble and thug in "A Ministerial Study" and "Death of a Friend," respectively

“Death of a Friend”

Cameron Christiansen, junior, Palmer, Alaska, playing the role of Mr. Taylors in "Death of a Friend"

Collin Christiansen, senior, Palmer, Alaska, playing the role of a younger Mr. Taylors in "Death of a Friend"

Benjamin Leeper, junior, Falcon, Colo., serving as writer and director of "Death of a Friend"

Emily Fehn, sophomore, Freeland, Mich., serving as assistant director of "Death of a Friend"

Mark Esser, sophomore, Mayer, Minn., playing the role of Aiden in "Death of a Friend"

Chris Genszler, sophomore, St. Louis, Mo., playing the role of judge in "Death of a Friend"

Elisha Scheiber, sophomore, Seward, Neb., playing the role of defense in "Death of a Friend"

“Death of a Friend” and “Imperfect Proposal”

Libby Klein, junior, Northfield, Minn., playing the roles of Eleanor Lewis and attractive girl/socialite in "Death of a Friend" and "Imperfect Proposal," respectively

Ian Hendrickson, sophomore, Seward, Neb., playing the roles of clerk and footballer/protester in "Death of a Friend" and "Imperfect Proposal," respectively

"I, Carpenter"

Izaak Wendorff, junior, Winthrop, Minn., serving as assistant director of "I, Carpenter"

Emily Kollbaum, junior, Concordia, Mo., serving as director of "I, Carpenter"        

Andrew Magnus, senior, Springfield, Mo., playing the role of Rick in "I, Carpenter"

David Schrampfer, freshman, Appleton, Wis., playing the role of Scott in "I, Carpenter"

"Imperfect Proposal"

Sarah Krause, junior, Rockford, Ill., playing the role of Kate in "Imperfect Proposal"

Anne Jesgarz, freshman, Shelbyville, Ill., playing the role of Ella in "Imperfect Proposal"

Paige Stadler, freshman, Columbus, Neb., playing the role of dog walker in "Imperfect Proposal"

Dylan White, sophomore, Lexington, Neb., playing the role of William in "Imperfect Proposal"

Elyssia Finch, senior, Omaha, Neb., serving as the assistant director of "Imperfect Proposal"

Clyde Ericson, junior, Osceola, Neb., playing the role of Ben in "Imperfect Proposal"

Melonie Kotschwar, senior, Seward, Neb., playing the role of a footballer/ protester in "Imperfect Proposal"

Sarah Scamehorn, sophomore, Sterling, Neb., playing the role of a footballer/ protester in "Imperfect Proposal"

Emma Heidorn, freshman, Utica, Neb., playing the role of protest leader in "Imperfect Proposal"

Kaleb Busche, PB, Fort Wayne, Ind., serving as director of "Imperfect Proposal"

"Imperfect Proposal" and “Therapy in the Park”

Caleb Haack, senior, Omaha, Neb., playing the roles of Andrew and Joseph in "Imperfect Proposal" and "Therapy in the Park," respectively

“Therapy in the Park”

Ann Spilker, sophomore, Ashland, Neb., playing the role of Marlissa in "Therapy in the Park"

Andrea Wiese, sophomore, Ashland, Neb., serving as assistant director of "Therapy in the Park"

Jade Rowe, sophomore, Cozad, Neb., playing the role of Dieter in "Therapy in the Park"

Lindsey LaMountain, junior, Gretna, Neb., playing the role of Lucinda in "Therapy in the Park"

Tyler Raabe, sophomore, Omaha, Neb., playing the role of Bernie in "Therapy in the Park"

Alicia Royuk, senior, Seward, Neb., serving as director of "Therapy in the Park"