The Skyliner

Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Paul Conner Awkward reunion: In The Twelve Pound Look, directed by Katy Beth Cassell, Lady Sims, played by Andi Evans, freshman broadcast media, is put in an uncomfortable situation when her husband's ex-wife returns to tell him she left because his successes made her feel like a "trophy wife." She warns Mr. Sims, played by Justin Walker, junior theater, not to let his new wife, Lady Sims, get that same feeling.

Kaelyn Pfenning
News/Features Editor


The One Act Play Festival captured the hearts of many students last week from Feb. 12 to Feb. 15.

Four individual plays directed by junior or senior theatre majors transformed Turner Chapel from a lecture hall into a play house.

"The whole festival is amazing," said Daniel Reith, sophomore theatre/history.

Each director worked with a cast chosen through auditions that were held at the start of the semester.

The auditions assigned the students their roles, and with about three to four weeks of practices, the plays came together.

Sometimes, teachers have asked students to direct a play. But other times, students asked to direct a play.

Katy Beth Cassell, senior theatre, requested to direct a play. After receiving the opportunity, Cassell read many books and finally found a story that caught her attention.

"One afternoon, I came across The Twelve-Pound Look by J.M. Barrie, and I knew immediately that it would be the show that I would direct," Cassell said.

For some of the directors, these plays offered them their first opportunity to director actors rather than acting.

Through the experience, some of them gained renewed respect for directors.

"Being an actor, I have gained such an appreciation for directors now that I've experienced the other side," Cassell said.

The responsibilities and stresses of actors vary from those of directors, and some students who directed these plays now understand better the effort put forth by the director and the pride felt by the director.

"This is my first time directing a show, so I felt like a proud mother watching from backstage," Cassell said.

The actors created the success of each play through hard work, sacrifices, and enjoyment of the process. The turn-out of the plays rewarded the hard work of each of the students involved.

"Everyone has worked really hard to get to where we are now," Reith said.

Reith directed Impromptu by Tad Mosel, Chris Hecke, senior theater, directed Along for the Ride by Jay D. Hanagan, Rozlyn Stanley, senior theater, directed Riders by the Sea by J.M. Synge, and Cassell directed The Twelve-Pound Look by J.M. Barrie.

The performances included more than the students on the stage. Every good show results from a good audience.

"If there is a good audience there is a good chance for a good show," said Nathan Baker, freshmen theatre.

Some students were disappointed that the plays were not considered cultural event credit after all the work put into them, but others did not mind as much.

Practices became tedious and overwhelming for some students as other homework and friends were set aside for a time.

"On top of memorizing lines for other shows, many students cancel dates, put off homework till late, and put off going on to have fun, because it takes up so much time," Reith said.
Other students simply enjoyed the time and effort put forth in spite of the difficulties and worked together to accomplish the greater goal of an excellent performance.

"I've just had a lot of fun working on this with everyone," said Baker, "From everyone in the show to Chris our director, it was really fun working on this Act from start to finish."

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