One Act plays delve into relationships, what we do and don’t do
Madeline Hudson-Knowlton’s and Jonathan Baumann’s characters exchange heartfelt comments.
Photo credit: Kayla Korb
By Josiah Horvath
Students put on two plays Thursday at the Black Box Theater as part of the annual One Act Play Festival, which is the practical component of the CTA 373 Play Production class.
The first play, “Odds Are” directed by junior Elizabeth Ascher, was about James, played by Jonathan Baumann, and Molly, played by Madeline Hudson-Knowlton, whose long-term relationship ended after a misunderstanding, leading both to seek romance with other characters. The play alternated between their unsuccessful experiences dating.
The second play, “But We Don’t” directed by junior Emily Loseke, was about things we can do, but we don’t do, including things that are absurd, such as saying “dill pickle” rapidly and repeatedly; things that can be harmful, such as intentionally crashing into a wall, and things we want to do, such as homework.
The play touched on the theory known as the multiverse, on regrets and the things we wish we had done in our lives, and on superstition. Throughout, an unnamed character played by freshman Catherine Vyhlidal brought several rocks onto the stage, simply because the character said she could.
“I really liked it. I thought they did such a great job,” said Justin Baldinger. “I actually sat there in awe of how talented they all were.”
The actors of “But We Don’t” each commented on the play and what it meant to them. The comments were placed on lightly colored landscape-oriented pages taped along the hallway outside the Black Box.
“Why don’t we do the things we could, no, should do?” junior Amanda Steinke commented. “Choose today to build someone up you normally despise, smile at the person who usually receives a frown, love the way that He first loved us,” Steinke said.
Freshman Timothy Baker commented: “Even when things get hard, there is always hope—even if we don’t quite know which is the best choice.”
There will be two more chances to watch these plays tonight and Saturday. Admission is free and the shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
