USD theatre department shows annual One-Acts

The Department of Theatre is showing their annual festival of short plays all directed by USD students March 8-10.

The One Act Plays are 10 to 15 minute performances put on by graduate and advanced undergraduate directing students. The theater department will be putting on four one-acts: “Date with Death” by Steven Hayet, “Jack” by Melissa Ross, “Long Ago and Far Away” by David Ives and “15 Minutes in a Haunted House” by Deirdre Girard.

“This year we’re doing four, 10 to 15 minute plays. Each is directed by a different person and then they each have their own cast,” Vivian Klein said.

Klein is a freshman actor in “Date with Death,” which will be directed by Ally Watters, a junior theatre studies major. “Date with Death” is about the awkward hastle of turning down someone after a first date and, for one character, murder might be the easiest option.

“15 Minutes in a Haunted House” will be directed by senior costume design major Brittney Lewis. The play is about two best friends that are dared to spend 15 minutes in an abandoned house.

“Jack” will be directed by Jeff Larsen, a first year directing student. This one-act is about a divorced couple who is getting back together to bury a loved one.

“Long Ago and Far Away” will be directed by Mickey Morstad. Morstad is a first year directing student. The play is about the drama of a married couple who are packing to move, but the wife has an existential crisis in the process.

Audition notices are sent out two weeks to a month in advance. For students that want to audition, they can either prepare their own monologue or they will be given one at the audition.

“It’s really minimal preparation, and then for callbacks they’ll give you materials that you can print out and look over,” Klein said.

All students were welcomed to get involved. Audition notices are posted in the theater wing. Students can sign up for an audition time and audition, then there will be callbacks.

“It’s a lot of fun. I’m having a lot of fun with my director and my cast. We are doing our first company run-through on the 28th, and then tech week starts,” Klein said

The One Acts start their performances on March 8 and will continue their performances through March 10 from 7:30-10 p.m. Tickets are free for students and $5 for all non-USD students.