With a very clear nod toward the theatrical nerve center of the United States, Lander University's annual Student-Directed One-Act Plays will take audience members on a journey across the New York City landscape, with stops in a subway train, a prominent Hotel and two city residences.
Four Lander students have been working hard on every aspect of these performances as they fill the director's chair as part of one of their final courses as college students. Performances are Wednesday-Friday, Feb. 17-19, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 20, at 3 p.m., in Lander's Greenroom Theatre, located in the Josephine B. Abney Cultural Center. Titled "A Night in New York," the production is sponsored by Lander's Department of Mass Communication and Theatre.
Student directors and Lander seniors James A. Chapman of Greenwood, Cherelle Mitchell of Greenwood, Elizabeth Teal of Darlington, and Jasmine Wallace of Whitemire, will tackle themes from relationships to self-discovery, with a tinge of heartache and a whole lot of laughter.
"Something I'll Tell You Tuesday," written by John Guare and directed by Elizabeth Teal, is set on the West 59th Street block between Eighth and Ninth avenues in New York City. Cast members are: Madison Bull of Columbia; Zach Helms of Greenwood; Kelsey Risher of Birmingham, Ala.; Ryan Hewitt of Florence; and Amy Becker of Greenwood.
"From the Big Apple to Tinsel Town" is written by Michael Genevie, Lander associate professor of theatre, and directed by Jasmine Wallace. The play takes place in the penthouse suite at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Cast members are: Adrienne Oliver of Greenwood, Brock Scott of Greenwood and Kelsey Risher.
"Railing it Uptown," written by Shirley Lauro and directed by Cherelle Mitchell, is set in Manhattan on a subway train. Cast members are Lanesha Campbell-Alston of North Charleston and Grace McWhite of Greenwood.
"Safe Sex" is written by Harvey Fierstein and is directed by James Anthony Chapman. This play, set in a Coney Island apartment, brings the one-act production to a close. Cast members are: Patrick Lutz of Greenwood; and Guilherme Agustini of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Michael Genevie is also the technical supervisor for this production, in addition to being the teacher for the directing course and a writer of one of the plays.
The Student-Directed One-Act Plays are sponsored by Dex, publisher of the Embarq Yellow Pages.
Admission to the Student-Directed One-Act Plays is free. For information, call Lander's College of Arts and Humanities at 864-388-8323. Information about other upcoming Lander arts events is available on the university's Web site, www.lander.edu.