Theatre students will have the opportunity to wow crowds with their acting and directing skills at this spring’s upcoming One-Act Play Festival.

The One-Act Play Festival is one of four major productions put on by the Ventura College Theater Arts Department every year. The festival includes four short plays acted and directed by students and will be held in Guthrie Hall for a few select days in March, according to Theater Arts Department Chair Judy Garey.

Among the plays that will take place at the One-Acts this semester is Carol S. Lashof’s “Medusa’s Tale,” directed by Michael F. Byrne.

The story follows Perseus on his quest to behead the infamous Medusa, who is revealed to be a beautiful young girl misjudged and mistreated by the Gods.

“I have directed three shows at VC, this being my third, and each time is different. I have loved every second of it,” said Byrne.

“The way students work with each other and feed off each other is really great to do because I believe the One Acts are what college theatre is all about rather than main stage shows, because you learn so much.”

The One-Acts will also feature a play entitled “Am I Blue,” written by Beth Henley and directed by Jordan Shockley, which tells the story of two lonely teens who unfold an unexpected friendship on a cold, rainy night.

“The Least Offensive Play in the Whole Darn World,” written by Jonathan Rand and directed by James Fraker, is a comedic take on the infomercial world.

In this play, the main characters illustrate how a miraculous gadget can remove all-things offensive from any play.

“Ode to Gwen Stacy,” written and directed by Joshua Shain, tells the story of a young man named Oliver who must choose between a woman living in his reality and a woman that matches his image of perfection.

A free preview will be open to the public on Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m. The show runs March 5-7 and 12-13 at 8 p.m. The final showing will be a matinee performance on March 14 at 3 p.m.

Tickets for the One-Acts will be on sale at the door, with a $5 fee for students, staff, and seniors and $7 for the general public. For more information contact One-Acts producer Jay Varela at 654-6400 ext. 9685