Jayme Lowe
  • Class of 2019
  • Atchison, Kan.

Jayme Lowe to peform in the annual One-Act Play Festival at Concordia University, Nebraska

2018 Mar 26

Jayme Lowe of Atchison, Kan. will be performing during the annual One-Act Play Festival, running April 5-7. The festival begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre in the Music Center on campus.

This year's directors chose four comedies and two dramas, including a children's language comedy, a seriocomedy, and a courtroom drama written and directed soley by students.

Bryan Moore, associate professor of communication and theatre, said, "The shows have proven to be a fun challenge for the directors and actors, and the audience will benefit from the variety of topics and comedic and dramatic styles presented."

The festival is a component of Concordia's play production course in which the students direct short plays. They each select a play, conduct auditions and rehearse with the cast, culminating in a weekend of their plays.

"The one-acts can be a good time to challenge ourselves in ways that we don't normally," said student director Melonie Kotschwar. "We can take on a leadership role that will ultimately culminate in a finished project that everyone will get the chance to see. Leading a group of people to try and get a great final play is really a chance to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones and take on new roles that actually help us grow to become better leaders in our community."

This year's performances include "The Last Leaf" based on the O. Henry short story and adapted by Thomas Hischak. This show presents a pneumonia-stricken patient and the motivation she receives from her friends. Students will also perform "Afternoon At Tavern MacTavish," by Frances A. Hogg, in which a family of American tourists look for an authentic Scottish experience but might get more of less what they bargained for. Also being presented is "The Trial of Billy Scott" by Mazie Hall, which is a children's language comedy depicting the trial of good language. The ending of the play is determined by the audience who acts as the jury, and therefore changes in every performance. The short seriocomedy, "Anti-Depressants" by Jeff Weisman, is included in the performances, along with the lighthearted comedy, "The Plot to Assassinate The Chase Manhattan Bank" by Carl Larsen. Finally, "Ablaze" by Concordia student Ben Leeper finishes out the program. This play explores many different sides of morality and mystery in a courtroom drama.

"I think the One-Act Festival is a great way for people to get a taste of theater," said student director Jayme Lowe. "The smaller casts and lesser time commitment allow for people who normally don't have time to be involved and get a chance to be onstage. It's all student-led and it allows for so many good experiences."