The Stampede

Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Sam Skeirik The cast of "If Girls Asked Boy for Dates" poses after kicking off the 22nd annual One-Acts.

Tuesday evening Milligan students, faculty and alumni crowded outside the Gregory Center doors for the opening of the 22nd annual Festival of One-Acts and Short Films.

The festival's one-act plays are produced and directed by students who are enrolled in or have completed the fundamentals of directing class.

"They are responsible for all aspects of the play," said Richard Major, professor of theater. "They are in charge of budgeting for the production, casting and taking care of the programs."

Throughout the festival's 22 years, there have been approximately 180 plays produced by Milligan students, according to Major.

Opening night featured three plays.

Junior Daniel Wallen directed "Wanda's Visit," a comedy about the interplay between a newlywed couple and the husband's old high-school girlfriend.

"I felt the reaction to the play was very good," said Wallen. "I learned a lot during this process, like how you treat your actors has a lot more to do with success than how hard you work them."

Wallen and his cast of Milligan students will perform an encore performance of "Wanda's Visit" at the Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City on May 7 at 7 p.m.

Senior Gigi Urgo directed Anton Chekhov's "The Proposal." Although Chekhov wrote the play over 100 years ago, it works well with audiences today with little alteration, according to Urgo.

Urgo wrapped up her theater career at Milligan by directing this one-act and acting in "Comedy of Errors" last week.

"It's been a very active bunch of students (seniors) that have been participating," said Major. "I'm very happy that they've gotten to perform in the new facility at least one time before they graduated."

On Wednesday, Kaity Aigner directed "Julie and Cindy," a conversation between Juliet, Cinderella and Lady Macbeth that takes place outside their shrink's office.

Katie Huntsberger also presented "Cannibals," but Brittany Curtis could not direct "The Loveliest Afternoon of the Year," because of recent illness. Her one-act was rescheduled for Thursday.

"The Queens of France," directed by BJ Krug and "Even a Black Sheep," directed by Lindsey Jones were also scheduled for Thursday night.

The Festival of One-Acts consisted of eight plays. Tonight at 6 p.m., the festival will conclude in Wilson Auditorium with a short film festival. Seniors Madison Mathews and Graham Johnson will show their own films along with a few others' short films.

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