Every year Ventura College Theatre students get the chance to show off their talents in the One-Act Play Festival.
The Festival is a combination of short plays and skits, acted and directed by students.
The One-Acts will be held at the Ventura College Main Stage and Circus Theatres and will continue Nov. 19-21 at 8 p.m. with a matinee performance on Nov. 22 at 3 p.m.
“The One-Acts are a valuable experience for all of our theatre students because it gives them the opportunity to put the techniques they learn in class into practice,” said Ventura College’s Theatre Arts Department Chair Judy Garey,. “It is an exceptional learning experience for the directors because they are the ones in charge.”
This 2009 Fall One-Act Festival has four short plays which this semester includes “Variations On The Death Of Trotsky,” a story of the famous Russian Politician Leon Trotsky and his ultimate demise by his gardener with a mountain climber’s axe. The play was written by David Ives and directed by James Fraker.
“Directing this play is really fun and I feel that it is a treat for actors and audience members alike,” said Fraker. “Directing is something completely new to me and it was fun and different from acting.”
“Misreadings,” written by Nina Beber, explores an interesting tale of the fragile and complex relationship between student and teacher.
“A great learning experience was directing this play,” said Wayne Hellstrom, director of “Misreadings.” “It was a great experience because you had to funnel the talents of the actors to see what parts worked the best with each actor.”
“Night Visits,” a romance telling of loss, love and nirvana, written by Simon Fill and directed by Alex Manriquez and “Seven Menus,” an experience in dinning with many couples in changing relationships, written by David Ives and directed by Aaron Manuyag will also be featured at the One-Acts.
Tickets are available at the door for $7 for the general public and $5 for students, staff, and seniors. For more information call Judy Garey at (805) 654-6400 ext. 3236 or Jay Varela at ext. 3194.