By Jeff Murphy,
November 7, 2019
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 欧美视频 Theatre and Dance will present a
night of Studio Theatre one-act plays at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14, 15, and 16 in the Black
Box Theatre located on the first floor of Nickerson Hall. These one-acts are performed,
directed, and designed entirely by UCM students. The one-act plays being presented
are 鈥淭ouch鈥 by Briana Morgan, 鈥淭he Other Room鈥 by Ariadne Blayde and 鈥淲ash and Dry鈥
by Shel Silverstein.
鈥淭ouch鈥 is a one-act play set in a society where it is illegal to touch others due
to the spread of disease. The story follows The Seeker, played by Danielle Sachse,
as she discovers the human nature of physical affection and its need in life鈥檚 toughest
moments. The Seeker is hesitant to rebel after growing up with a mother who is a formerly
addicted to touch. The Seeker meets a hug Dealer, played by Ta茅 Nickerson, and soon
gains the confidence to push back. The Cured, played by Jade Seraaj, attempts to protect
her daughter from needing an Enforcer, played by Luke Habjan. Along the way the seeker
sees the desperation of addiction when she meets the Addict, played by Veronica Dervin.
鈥淭ouch鈥 is written by Briana Morgan and directed by Alley Pettey with technical design
and technical direction by Kayla Gross.
鈥淭he Other Room鈥 tells the story of Austin, played by Chasen Brown, who is a brilliant
teenage astronomer who happens to have autism. Lily, played by Melanie Gratham, is
his popular classmate who has an interest in astronomy. When a chance encounter after
school leads to a growing connection between them, Austin鈥檚 imagination, intelligence,
and constant struggles to connect with the world are revealed in the form of four
characters, played by Kathryn Marshall, Demetruis Hampton, Ashton Bennett, and Derek
Caswell, representing his inner life. Things take a turn when Lily鈥檚 boyfriend, Travis,
played by Noah Bryan, enters the room. With turns both funny and heartbreaking, 鈥淭he
Other Room鈥 is a compelling and sensitive glimpse into a unique and misunderstood
mind. 鈥淭he Other Room鈥 is written by Ariadne Blade and directed by Kayla Helms with
technical design and technical direction by Kyle Yorg.
鈥淲ash and Dry鈥 is a comedic short play about a woman, Marianne, played by Molly Ross,
who expects to do business at an independently owned laundromat. George鈥檚 Wash and
Dry is owned by a kooky man named George, played by Nathan Endreshak. Marianne is
surprised to find out that her clothes have never been washed, but rather 鈥渨atched.鈥
George teaches her the lesson of reading the fine print and a few life lessons along
the way after accusing her of certain lifestyles based on her dirty laundry. Marianne
isn鈥檛 the only one who ends up being fooled by George鈥檚 (not so) false advertising.
Kenneth, played by Dalton Grafton, ends up doing his laundry business with George
as well. 鈥淲ash and Dry鈥 is written by Shel Silverstein and directed by Tanis Ham with
technical design and technical direction by Molly Ehrnman.
The faculty advisors for these Studio productions are John Wilson and Ken George.
Tickets are $1 and are only available at the door. Due to the size of the space and
limited seating, arriving at least 30 minutes in advance is strongly recommended.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. For additional
information, please contact UCM Theatre and Dance at
660-542-4020.