By Kenzie Smith, Arts & Entertainment Editor
On Wednesday and Thursday, a Short Play Festival was presented by The Fundamentals of Directing Class in Stevens Lab Theatre from 7-8 p.m. These two shows encompassed short scenes chosen by the students to direct. Theatre arts professor Christopher Kauffman explained how students outside the class were involved in the process.
“There were ten directors who cast 24 performers and stage managers that auditioned in the third week of classes,” Kauffman said. “It’s a great way for people interested in trying something new in college, and for the majors or non-majors in the class to practice leadership skills and experiment with that form of artistic expression.”
Theatre arts professor Christopher Kauffman addressing the crowd. (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
There was a full house for both nights of the festival. Wednesday’s night show started off with “A Scene from ‘True West’” written by Sam Shepard and directed by Logan Sodl ’24. This was both a humorous but sentimental scene between two brothers played by Najee Blackman ’24 and David Goldman ’24.
The next performance was Wendy McGlaughlin’s “Watermelon Boats” directed by Kate Sallee ’25. This scene followed the relationship of Kate, played by Sarah Daniels ’27, and Kitty, played by Lucy Dean ’27, as they reached momentous ages and points in their life.
“This play is really important to me because there is nothing in the world like girlhood when you’re in your adolescence,” Salle said.
“Believe,” written by Marc Littman and directed by Adela Holahan ’24, then followed. This humorous play followed a man who was obsessed with Elvis Presley and demonstrated how it affected his family. The actors in this scene included RJ Andrade ’26 as Joe, Ellie Mandelberg ’27 as June and Katie Poliero ’25 as King.
The next play was “A Scene from ‘Angels in America,’” written by Tony Kushner and directed by Ren Mirenda ’27. The play depicted a highly emotional and intense scene between the married couple Harper, played by Libby Drew ’24, and Joe, played by Hayden Johnston ’25.
The final scene of Wednesday’s showing was Richard Dresser’s “The Road to Ruin,” directed by Cooper Leeman ’26. This play followed a couple who were having car troubles and were struggling to get help from a seemingly shady auto repair shop. The cast included RJ Andrade ’26, Lucy Dean ’27, Nick Scutaro ’27 and Raymond Washington ’26.
Thursday’s show began with “A Scene from ‘Radium Girls’” written by D.W. Gregory and directed by Heather Stokes ’25. This was a highly emotional scene based on the true events of women who received radiation poisoning from painting radium dials in factories. Brooklynn Smith ’27 played Mrs. Roeder, Jake Parker ’27 played Roedar, Elliott Wakefield ’26 played Mr. Lee and Stephanie Sol ’27 was the stage manager.
The next scene was Andy Backer’s “The Bread,” directed by Josi Campos ’25. This play depicted a starving family where the husband, Raymond Washington ’26, snuck around to eat from their last loaf of bread. Later, the wife, Libby Drew ’24, was seen giving up her portion of food for her husband.
Students perform for the Short Play Festival. (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
“Mae the Magnificent,” written by Margo Hammond and directed by Alvan Ngando ’25, followed. In this humorous scene, a former wrestler named Mae and another patient named Fred were in the waiting room of a dentist office, and through their interesting interaction, they were each able to advise each other on how to face their fears. Mae was played by Naiya Persaud ’26, and Fred was played by Nick Scutaro ’27.
The next play was Andrew Biss’ “What’s the Meta?” directed by Nicholas Ryan ’25. Nicola Pepper ’27 and Sarah Daniels ’27 starred in this play that used the personification of ink on page to discuss questions related to existentialism.
The final show of the festival was “Upstairs, Downstairs” written by Wendy MacLeod and directed by Jamilynne McCabe ’25. This scene used characters Mac and Stuart to humorously touch upon the working conditions of a corporation and what climbing the corporate ladder entails. Mac was played by Jake Parker ’27, and Stuart was played by French teaching assistant Jules Inizan.
Evan Hilborn ’25 attended the first night of the festival, and their favorite play was “A Scene from ‘Angels in America.’”
“They [Hayden Johnston and Libby Drew] both did an astounding job acting and while it was a very serious scene I was shocked by the surprise of the problem the two faced so much so it made me laugh from shock,” Hilborn said. “They both did a very good job keeping the intensity through everything and Libby’s acting and Hayden’s intensity really made a great scene.”
Campos spoke on her experience directing: “I’ve delved into the intricacies of stage setup and working with lighting, and it’s been an incredible experience. I’ve discovered previously untapped talents and capabilities. My absolute favorite class is directing, and I recommend it to everyone, not just theater arts majors.”
Campos also reflected on the progress of her feelings toward directing.
“Initially, I felt nervous because I had never directed or organized rehearsals before,” Campos said. “[Now] I’m eagerly looking forward to our next and final performance of our upcoming set of plays.”
Students perform in Stevens Lab Theatre. (Photo Eric Lippe/The Gettysburgian)
