Evening of one-act plays to be presented at Ripon College April 7 and 8

The annual One-Act Play Festival will run April 7 and 8 at Ripon College. The four short productions are directed by students. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening in Benstead Theatre, C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts, on the campus. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended by calling 748-8791.

The one-acts traditionally are performed in spring as a requirement for senior theatre majors and minors. Seniors are tasked with coordinating their own show. The four student directors this year are Noelle Korzeniewski ’17 of Waterford, Wisconsin; Allison Macknick ’17 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; Susan Shively, ’17 of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; and Stephanie Nilsen ’18 of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

“Planning your own show is easier said than done,” says Korzeniewski. “My goals for this show (are) to spread the message about the struggle of self-image and help those understand that cheating on your diets or letting yourself eat a Mr. Goodbar or a package of M&Ms here and there is OK.” She is directing The Chocolate Affair, by Stephanie Alison Walker.

The cast features Cori Fredericks ’19 of Appleton, Wisconsin, as Beverly; Brennan Kane ’17 of Ramsey, Minnesota, as Mr. Goodbar; and Courtney Hall ’20 of West Allis, Wisconsin as M&M.

Macknick is directing Anniversary, a comic drama by Rachel Bonds. “I wanted to produce a show that did more than entertain,” Macknick says. “Anniversary is a very honest, touching and deep piece that authentically looks at how someone deals with depression. With all the emotions and feelings generated from our current political climate, and especially with the tragic loss of a Ripon College student (last fall), this is an incredibly timely show.”

Members of the cast include Savannah White ’19 of Carol Stream, Illinois, as Penelope; Race Rohde ’20 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as Matt; Nnamdi Benjamin as Neal; and Alana T. Green ’18 of Chicago, Illinois, as Caroline.

Shively is directing In the Beginning, by Bruce Kane. “My favorite part of directing is being able to work with the talented people around me,” Shively says. “As an actress and technician, I have had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. I have enjoyed seeing how they have blossomed through this experience of the one-acts.”

Members of the cast are David Firari ’18 of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, as Serpent; Bailey Jerrick ’20 of Stoughton, Wisconsin, as Eve; and Tim Durning ’18 of Oswego, Illinois, as Adam.

Nilsen is directing Jubilation, Mississippi, by Stephen Bittrich. The setting is a “town too small for any map.” The cast includes Michael Baumhardt ’18 of Richfield, Wisconsin, as Chuck McDean; Deshawn Thomas ’20 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as Jim; Matt Stern ’19 of Frankfort, Illinois, as Charlie; Amber Haugen ’19 of St. Cloud, Minnesota, as Stella; and Ryan Krogsgaard ’20 of Fort Worth, Texas, as Stranger.

All the student directors agreed that the planning for the One-Act Play Festival has been a tough and arduous process, but all are excited to share their passions through these performances.