SRU theatre students to “bravely” stage original works April 20-26

April 6, 2018

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - A set of nine one-act plays, written, directed and performed by Slippery Rock University students, will be presented April 20-26 during SRU's annual "Brave New Plays" program.

Plays will be presented at 7:30 p.m., April 20-21 and April 23-26; and at 2 p.m., April 22, in the University Union.

Students in SRU's "Directing," class taught by Laura Smiley, associate professor of theatre, will direct the plays. The playwrights will not act in their shows, but are consulted about casting by the student directors when they interpret scripts.

The process of having a show produced for the event starts with the submission of original scripts from students, Smiley said.

"Although a majority of the submissions come from theatre majors, any student is welcome to submit their work," said Smiley.

The playwrights submitted their plays for consideration during the fall semester. Theatre faculty then selected which plays would be presented during spring semester. Students in Smiley's "Directing" have the opportunity to indicate which play they would like to direct.

The student plays being presented are:

-"Poot! A Gross Story for Children Who Break Wind," by A.J. Sansonetti, a sophomore theatre major from Pittsburgh.
-"Aliens Attack Washington," by Sarah Getway, a junior theatre major from Sharpsville.
-"If Only," by Deb Cohen, a post-baccalaureate theatre   major from Erie.
-"Pick Your Lover's Poison," by Emma Cummings, a senior theatre major from Goshen;
-"Mixing Paint," by Cassandra Biltz, a sophomore theatre major from New Kensington.
-"Fireball Express," by Dalton Smith, a senior theatre major from Mars.
-"What We Share in the Dark is the Truth (and Needles)," by Phoebe Costanza, a senior theatre major from Cranberry.
-"A Power Outage in Mississippi," by Payton Lewis, a junior theatre major from Cochranville.
-"Masquerade," by Zach Zehner, a senior English literature major from Sharon.

Tickets are $10 for SRU affiliates and $12 for non-SRU affiliates and can be purchased at the Smith Student Center Information Desk or at the door.

MEDIA CONTACT: Hebist Asfaw | 724.738.2091 | hba1001@sru.edu