A total of three one act plays will be performed between Nov. 28 and 29. The performances give students an opportunity to act, direct and lead, and this year two students as well as a professor of theatre are directing productions. An original entitled, “The Waiting Room” by Edward Powers, professor of theatre, will be performed as well as “Bad Auditions by Bad Actors,” a published play student-directed by Samantha Morad, a sophomore arts administration major with a theater concentration. The third, “New Perspective” is also student-directed by Michelle Frye, senior advertising and public relations major.

“The Waiting Room” was written by Powers 19 years ago, and depicts babies waiting in heaven before they’re born and what conversations go on between them.

“Bad Auditions by Bad Actors”, which is a play that is to be directed by Morad, is a story about actors trying out for “Romeo and Juliet.” The actors are funny, quirky, or just plainly cannot act.

“New Perspective” is an original by Frye written in Powers’ playwriting class. It portrays the relationship between an optimistic waiter and a pessimistic waitress falling in love.

Powers, who has directed numerous one acts in his time at Waynesburg, explains the importance of the one-act style.

“Just as short story is an important piece of literature, a one act is an important piece of theatre…It presents hopes and dreams, failures and successes, but in a brief amount of time,” Powers said.

It gives students an opportunity for leadership roles they may not have had otherwise.

“One acts are primarily for students to direct, as well as act,” said Powers. “It gives the student another opportunity to act.”

If a student does not have the time to commit to a full-length show, or has not been casted for the fall play or spring musical, the one acts are another chance to showcase their talent.

“It is valuable for them [student directors] to experience a different aspect of theatre,” said Powers. “And so I’d like to give them that opportunity.”

To be chosen as a student-director requires an interest in being a director, or, if Powers’ directing course is taken, it is a requirement. Morad, who had been behind the scenes as a stage manager explains why she wanted to take this opportunity.

“I wanted to do a one act because I wanted the chance to be able to direct and say something was my own,” said Morad. “I really wanted to see what I could come up with.”

Morad appreciates the independence the one acts provides her as a director.

“One acts are important because students can be in charge and feel like part of the community,” Morad said. “My favorite part is seeing the show come to life piece by piece and grow.”

Frye, whose previous directing experience attained an award at the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, recaps the magnitude of one acts for her.

“Directing this one act that I wrote means that I can truly express my story in every way in which I intended to. Because I am both playwright and director, I know exactly what mental images I have in my head for scenic design and character portrayal. Most of all, I am most excited to be able to convey my personal philosophy on life: everyone needs a bit of pessimism and optimism in their lives. It’s what makes us human.”