Actors and directors alike are preparing for this season’s showing of the Student One Acts which will be held in the Black Box Theater beginning Nov. 28.

John Loprieno, director and theater professor at Moorpark College, takes a lot of pride in these student written and directed productions.

“These shows are the crown jewels of our program,” said Loprieno.

The students acting, directing and writing these “one acts” are students in the Theater M10 class which explores the performance part of theater production.

According to Loprieno, these students have a choice to either take part in the main stage production or the One Acts. These students have decided to choose the road to “develop the original material.”

The nature of these shows really puts the students in charge, and because of it, Loprieno finds himself a spectator rather than a director.

“I try not to direct,” Loprieno said. “I encourage change. Once a student casts their script, the script will change. If they are going to fail I want them to fail tremendously. It is all a hands-on, personal, experience.”

Some directors are returning students, like Kelce Casey, who is a One Acts director for the third time.

Casey, who is also the writer of her One Act “Death and Tom,” reflects on the challenges of being a director.

“It is always a difficult process, but it is also very rewarding,” said Casey.

This season’s series of one acts will consist of 12 shows, running about 10-15 minutes each, with a few exceptions.

In explaining genres, Loprieno was amused by the perfect arrangement of six plays about love, and six plays about death.

“I really like students wrestling with big issues,” Loprieno said.

These issues are something actor Peter Mazzeo, who plays Tom in “Death and Tom,” thought to be somewhat of an accomplishment.

 “There is less material to rehearse, but it is also a lot more in depth and needs to be conveyed in a shorter amount of time,” explains Mazzeo.

Mazzeo, who is no stranger to the One Acts, explains his hopes for his personal One Act.

“I feel strongly about this show and like everything has come together and is strong on all sides,” said Mazzeo, smiling.