By Caleb Nix 05.02.2014

Eight student directors debuted their mini-theater productions this week at Milligan’s Festival of One Act Plays.

 

Senior Red Reed, director of “Whatever Souls are Made of” wrote her own script about five friends who panic when one goes missing. Other shows included “Elvis of Nazareth,” directed by Tori Giblin, “The Man Who Couldn’t Dance,” directed by Andrew Wissmann and “Variations on the Death of Trotsky,” directed by Darcie DeLong.

 

Audience member Matt Rees liked the diversity of skills on stage this week.

 

“I like the variety of shows, and that all the directors have a unique ability that makes their show different from the rest,” he said. “Some have skill with slapstick, others drama. It’s always a fun occasion to see a broad smattering of styles.”

 

Laura Mixon, who acted in Adam Derrick’s “Help,” played an enthusiastic young girl who experiences volunteering at a soup kitchen for the first time.

 

“The great part about One Acts is that you never know what you are getting yourself into,” she said.

 

Since 1987, One Acts has been a big attraction in theater for Milligan students. In its first years, the shows were performed after dinner on the lawn outside Hart Hall. While the event attracted around 60 students its first night, nearly 180 people now attend the festival each spring.

 

This week’s lineup also included “Last-Minute Adjustments” directed by Tess Evans-Shell, “Working Class” directed by Danielle Moore and “Accused of Comedy” directed by Christopher Heldman.