SW
Steven Whitney
  • Class of 2014
  • Kenyon, Minn.

Steven Whitney directs in One Act Festival at Concordia University, Nebraska

2013 May 6

Steven Whitney, a senior at Concordia University, Nebraska from Kenyon, Minn., directed the one-act play, Harry's Hotter at Twilight as part of the theater department's annual One Act Festival April 18-20. The festival showcased four student-directed plays that were performed in the Music Center's Studio Theater.

The play follows the stories of three young wizards on a quest to unlock the secrets of a magical carrot which they can use to defeat their ultimate foe, as well as the stories of a vampire and werewolf who fight over their love of an emotionally disoriented girl. The spoof plays on themes and characters from several movie franchises including Harry Potter, Twilight, Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and Star Wars.

Students have the opportunity to direct a play as part of Concordia's Play Production course, taught by Assistant Professor of Communication and Theater Bryan Moore. In the course, the students learn how to choose their material, manage a cast, set the stage and direct rehearsals. The class is meant to give students behind-the-scenes experience, since many have participated as actors in Concordia's theater program, but not as directors. The one acts also give other students an opportunity to participate in theater in a less demanding production than a full stage play.

"Although there's a great amount of work that goes into the production, it's still rewarding in the end, when the shows are performed and the audiences are crying because they are laughing so hard," said senior Steven Whitney.

"I learned a lot about how to work with actors," said senior Sarah Dinger. "Directing is really just teaching, and every actor learns differently. I also learned that the act of creating a vision is a really amazing thing. The show didn't turn out the way I imagined it would. It was better."

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Neb. that currently serves over 2,100 students. Concordia offers more than 50 professional and liberal arts programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.