Concordia students lead annual One-Act Play Festival

Seward, NE (03/22/2019) — Students of Concordia University, Nebraska, will be performing two one-act plays during the annual One-Act Play Festival, running April 4-6. The festival begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre in the Music Center on campus, with performances also taking place at 7:30 p.m. April 5 and 6.

The festival is a component of Concordia's play production course in which the students direct short plays. They each select a script, conduct auditions and rehearse with the cast, culminating in a weekend of their plays. This year's directors chose a light-hearted comedy and a western which was written and directed completely by Concordia student Eric James.

"My favorite part of directing is seeing my creative vision come to life," said James, writer and director of Outlaws, one of the plays featured in the festival. "It's a challenge to balance managing and guiding the actors so that they still maintain my vision while giving them the freedom to explore their characters and try different things. It's really been a great experience to learn and grow for all of us."

This year's performances include "The Search for Cindy" by Tim Kochenderfer. Tim decides that the best way to express his love for Cindy is to get her name tattooed on his back. But when she ends the relationship, he realizes that he's doomed to date only girls named Cindy for the rest of his life. Students will also perform "Outlaws" written by Concordia student Eric James. This play involves two bank robbers and their interactions with each other and the other townspeople leading up to the climatic heist.

"The One-Act Festival has always been a weekend of opportunity for the audiences to unwind and have fun, and this year will be no different," said student director Faith Greenmyer. "Though fewer in number, the two plays being featured will still pack quite the entertaining punch. We cannot wait for the community to see what we have been up to."

Performers include (in order by play and then in order of appearance):

"The Search for Cindy"

Faith Osborn-Greenmyer, junior, Oakes, N.D., director

Joseph Greenmyer, junior, Stirum, N.D., assistant director

Drew Boggs, junior, Red Cloud, Neb., playing Tim

Sam Smith, junior, Broadlands, Ill., playing Early

Delaney Doremus, junior, Grimes, Iowa, playing Cindy

John Kastner, junior, New York, N.Y., playing Mat

Julia O'Laughlin, junior, Winona, Minn., playing Hope

Rachel Krome, junior, Fairmont, Minn., playing Supermodel/Porter

Joseph Greenmyer, junior, Stirum, N.D., playing Host

Hayden Rensner, sophomore, Effingham, Ill., playing DJ/Attendant

Olivia Hunt, junior, Big Lake, Minn., playing Fortune Teller

Victoria Cameron, junior, Kent, Wash., playing Stranger

Matthew Murphy, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Ensemble

"Outlaws"

Eric James, senior, Omaha, Neb., writer and director

Emma-Rose Grothaus, freshman, Lincoln, Neb., stage manager

Daniel Duffy, freshman, Kenesaw, Neb., playing Boone

Sam Smith, junior, Broadlands, Ill., playing Early

Cecilia Minchow, freshman, Lincoln, Neb., playing Rose

Drew Boggs, junior, Red Cloud, Neb., playing Tom

David Kreuger, senior, Aurora, Colo., playing Percy

Rachel Krome, junior, Fairmont, Minn., playing Bartender

Olivia Hunt, junior, Big Lake, Minn., playing Townsperson

Victoria Cameron, junior, Kent, Wash., playing Townsperson