By Jonathan Wenger, Staff Writer & Kenzie Smith, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Students performing in the short play festival. (Photo Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
On Dec. 4, the Fundamentals of Directing class presented their final short play festival of the semester. The show featured a mix of original and established plays directed by members of the class. There were two sets of the short plays, once set beginning at 4 p.m. and the later at 7 p.m.
The festivities began at 4 p.m. with Robert Marcato Jr.’s “Lunchtime.” The play was directed by Adela Holahan ’24. The plot followed Angela (Libby Drew ’24) and Donna (Ellie Mandelberg ’27) as they enjoyed lunch at their usual restaurant. Tensions rise in Angela as a Man (Aiden Ludka ’24) seats himself right by the pair. Angela suspects that he has been listening in on their conversation and confronts the man. Despite his denial, it is clear that the man has been listening. The altercation grows heated as Angela strikes the man and storms off in anger. As Donna helps the man tend to his wounds, he asks her on a date and reveals his intentions for listening in on their conversations. Disgusted by his motives, Donna too exits, leaving the man alone.
The next short play was “Happy No-Lidays” written by Keythe Farley. This lighthearted play was directed by Josie Campos ’25 and featured a man (French teaching assistant Jules Inizan) and woman (Brookly Smith ’27) enjoying a Christmas movie. Dismayed and discouraged by the consumerism that drives the holidays, they proposed an anti-holiday called “No-liday.” Throughout the play, the couple established the rules of their new proposed no-liday. However, met with the beauty of their Christmas tree, they decide the holidays are not something they are willing to give up. In a heartfelt moment, the man presents the woman with an engagement ring, only to be topped by the woman’s announcement that she is expecting a baby.
The next play was “The 39 Steps” adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan. This humorous number was directed by Jamilynne McCabe ’25 and was stage managed by Rin Stevenson ’24. The story took place on a train as Hannay (Stephanie Sol ’27) is attempting to hide from the police after a murder. Clown #1 and Clown #2 (Max Kuhn ’25 and Nicola Pepper ’27 respectively) hear the news of the murder. The two clowns then comically switch between the different roles such as constable, conductor, and newspaper salesman, driving Hannay to exclaim “Get on with it” as he fears that his cover is blown.
Students performing in the short play festival. (Photo Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
Following that short play was David Johnson’s “A Funeral Home in Brooklyn,” directed by Cooper Leeman ’26. This comical play had the audience in fits of laughter when a woman (Brooklyn Smith ’27) comes into a funeral home to speak with a man (Beckett Reynolds ’27) following the passing of her father. The woman frantically asks if anything has been done to the body, explaining that her sister-in-law had called in to make arrangements for cremation, which went against the woman’s family customs. The man is originally happy to oblige the woman’s requests until she very matter-of-factly reveals that it is her family’s custom to eat their dead. Disgusted by the prospect, the man refuses to hand over the body and turns the woman away.
The final scene for the 4 p.m. window came from the critically acclaimed musical “Waitress,” with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and the book by Jessie Nelson. The selected scenes were directed by Heather Stokes ’25. Joao Branco Chaves ’25 was the stage manager, and the lighting was done by Keefer Stiles ’27. Unlike the other scenes, this one included singing and utilized different seating. The first scene featured Jenna (Jocelyn Little ’25) and Dr. Pomatter (Hayden Johnston ’25) as they rode the bus home. The pair joined in song before sharing an awkward moment of closeness as Jenna departs. At home, Jenna is confronted by her drunk husband Earl (Elliot Wakefield ’26), who was laid off and had been drinking all night. Earl acts violent towards Jenna when she does not do as he pleases, and in a tense moment, Earl moves to strike Jenna, only to be stopped by Jenna desperately crying out that she is pregnant. Pleased by this news, Earl launches into song as Jenna reluctantly joins him.
Students performing in “Play,” directed by Nicholas Ryan ’25. (Photo Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
The second set of shows, which started at 7 p.m., began with Samuel Beckett’s “Play” directed by Nicholas Ryan ’25. This play consisted of three characters, Woman 1 (Stephanie Sol ’27), Woman 2 (Bryn Morris ’25) and Man (Jerry Kulah ’26), who stood blindfolded in front of three doors. This play took place in the dark, with only a spotlight that would alight the characters faces as they spoke. Each character narrated their point of view of the man cheating on his wife, Woman 1, with Woman 2. The dialogue of the play was accompanied by a somber, eerie backtrack which mirrored the mood of the play. Daniel Teodorescu ’27 was the spotlight operator.
Next, the play “Natalie,” written and directed by Ren Mirenda ’27, was performed. The play followed the events of a couple, Natalie (Katie Poliero ’25) and Michael (Evan Hilborn ’25), as they celebrated Natalie’s birthday with a surprise dinner. The audience began to realize the couple was not as happy as first appeared when hints of Michael’s abusiveness and alcoholism came to light. By the end of the play, it is revealed that Natalie was hallucinating the whole scenario as she was drowning in their pool after a previous fight with Michael.
“The Mating Season of Flying Monkeys” followed. This play was written by Ann Weuhler and directed by Kate Sallee ’25. Sallee introduced her play by saying, “[it has a] personal touch with me; it’s a lot about fate.”
The play focused on two elderly sisters, Belinda (Lucy Dean ’27) and Marjorie (Sarah Daniels ’27). Belinda has decided to go to town and have a one night stand, which Marjorie is opposed to. In the end, Belinda stands her ground and follows out on her plan. The play included moments of reminiscing, sisterly bickering and two sisters getting to know more about one another.
Students performing in “The Mating Season of Flying Monkeys,” directed by Kate Sallee ’25. (Photo Grace Jurchak/The Gettysburgian)
“Pinky Promise,” a play written and directed by Alvan Ngando ’25, was performed next. The characters of this play consisted of Dela (Naiya Persaud ’26), Sophie (Zmaria Morris ’26) and Lady Maria (Katie Poliero ’25). Najee Blackman ’24 was the stage manager. Dela and Sophie are two best friends in an orphanage run by Lady Maria. This play followed the aftermath of Sophie confessing that she has been secretly dating someone Dela liked. In the end, the friendship of Sophie and Dela is still secure, but the audience is left with the inclination that there might be something a little more between the two girls.
The final play of the night was “Cable by Bable,” written and directed by Logan Sodl ’24. This humorous play had the audience laughing the whole way through it. The play followed the story of Tony (Sodl), the man who created Cable by Bable and credits streaming services for driving him out of business. His wife Linda (Evelyn Datte ’24) is tired of his ranting and shenanigans. It is revealed, however, that when their son Sam (Leo Sattamini ’24) comes to dinner, that Sam created YouTube TV, which has driven a rift between him and his father. A fight occurs between Sam and Tony, but in the end, the two resolve their differences as Tony falls in love with Youtube TV. Riley Clipson ’24 was the light board operator.
Remarking on “Cable by Bable,” audience member Aleah Ellerbee ’24 said, “My favorite play was Logan’s play because he told his story not only through comedic wording but [also] with intricate light details.”
