An Evening of One-Act Theatre Opens 2007 at USU

The advanced directing class from Utah State University’s department of theatre sweeps the Christmas-break dust off the Studio Theatre floor to open 2007 with “An Evening of One-Acts.”

An annual event, this year’s run is Jan. 18-20 and 25-27 on the Studio Theatre stage in the Chase Fine Arts Center on the Utah State campus. “An Evening of One-Acts” is free to the general public, with seats usually filling quickly. It is recommended that patrons arrive 30 minutes prior to the 7:30 p.m. start time. General admission tickets are provided at the door of the theatre prior to curtain.

 

The advanced directing class at Utah State chooses single acts from full-length plays or already established one-act plays, casts the shows, finds technical staff members for the productions and applies what has been learned in class to a 10- to 15-minute piece of live theatre. Although the task may seem daunting and, perhaps, a little intimidating, most of the directors welcome the challenge, said Kevin Doyle, theatre arts professor and faculty member overseeing the project.

 

“The process provides valuable experience for students interested in the directing aspect not many theatre majors are able to be involved in,” Doyle said. “It also gives actors in the department a new perspective and insight they carry with them on stage. It enhances their awareness and understanding, especially realizing what choices can be and are made in a play.”

 

Doyle said the intimacy of the event is an enticing reason to attend this theatrical event.

 

“What makes the one-acts different is the closeness of the audience to the performance,” he said. “The Studio Theatre gives a personal relationship between the patron and the performer. It is also a showcase of the talented students’ work, which can be appreciated for both an entertaining night and a learning experience for audience members and student alike.”

 

The complete rotation schedule and general information about “The Evening of One-Acts” is available on the Utah State Theatre Web site at www.usu.edu/theatre, or by calling (435) 797-1500.

 

The 2007 spring schedule for Utah State Theatre includes Tartuffe, by Moliere, Morgan Theatre, Feb. 8-10, 14-17; and Anything Goes, a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, Morgan Theatre, April 12-14 and 18-21.

 

The book (or script) for Anything Goes was a collaborative effort by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. A classic in the musical theatre repertoire, the production introduced such songs as “You’re the Top,” “I Get a Kick Out of You” and “Anything Goes.”

 

Ticket information for these productions is available by calling (435) 797-0305.