UCM Theatre and Dance to Present Student-Directed One-Act Plays

Enjoy an evening of entertainment as University of Central Missouri (UCM) Theatre and Dance presents “Remember When,” featuring four student-directed one-act plays Sept. 12-14.

All of the plays are directed, designed and performed by UCM students. Performances include “Name” by Seth Kramer, “Good Morning, Miriam” by Jacquelyn Priskorn, “A Long Trip” by Dan McGeehan and “Annnd Scene (Of the Crime)” by John Busser. 

The “Remember When” Studio One-Acts will be performed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-14 in the Nickerson Black Box Theatre on the first floor of Nickerson Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m.

In “Name,” on Zach's 27th birthday, a group of old friends gets together to celebrate, catch up and reminisce about their time together in high school. The friends connect through various issues; Zach is terminally ill, Lewis is unemployed, Stan is a workaholic and Susannah is pregnant and living with regret for giving up on her dream. Together, through comedy and conflict, the friends attempt to conceptualize what their high school selves would have thought of them now. 

“Name” is written by Seth Kramer, with direction and technical direction by Paige Showen. The student cast includes John Plasencio as Stan, Anna Fletcher as Susannah, Kiera Carter as Lewis and Chris Schilligo as Zach. 

“Good Morning, Miriam” begins when Miriam is at home, confused and alone, when she meets Ari, someone who feels familiar but she does not remember. Time seems to blend together and days repeat as she meets Audrey, who claims to be her daughter – but she doesn’t have a daughter, does she? Miriam must decide whether to cling to her memories and struggle or simply let it all fade away. 

 

The student cast includes Ayden Christensen as Ari, Hannah Vath as Miriam, Ayla McCann as Older Miriam and Karlee Troutt as Audrey. “Good Morning, Miriam” is written by Jacquelyn Priskorn with direction by Finn Juliano and technical direction by Wesley Freeman. 

Reflecting on directing a show for the first time, Juliano said, “It’s exciting to approach theatre from a different role than usual, and I am exceptionally proud to be working with many talented freshmen and incoming transfers to promote a strong future for the Division of Theatre and Dance.”

“A Long Trip” centers around an older man and woman reminiscing about the day they had their first kiss, which the older woman struggles to remember due to her worsening dementia. Before they know it, the memory comes rushing back and plays out before them through their younger selves. 

“A Long Trip” is written by Dan McGeehan with direction and technical direction by Emily Turner. It is performed by Danny Gage as Man Older, Elizabeth Molina as Woman Older, Dawson Black as Man Younger and Ali Whitbey as Woman Younger. 

“Getting an opportunity to create your own show is something special,” Turner said of working with her cast. “Working with fellow students to build a show from the ground up allows you to get to know and love theatre in a whole new way.”

“Annnd Scene (Of the Crime)” stars Detective Lieutenant Milch and Detective Sergeant Raye as they investigate the murder of Tony, a local improv comedian. During this scene, they interrogate Eddie, one of Tony’s improv teammates, to try to get the real story. Through a hilarious sequence of improv-based interrogation tactics, the detectives are determined to find out Who Dunnit. 

In this slapstick comedy, Rosalyn Schuster plays Detective Lieutenant Milch, Avory Nail plays Detective Sergeant Raye and Killian Lewis plays Eddie Sumner. “Annnd Scene (Of the Crime)” is written by John Busser with direction and technical direction by Gracie Heath.

The production staff for “Remember When” includes Stage Manager Ashley Singh, Projection Design and Board Operator Gracie Heath, Sound Board Operator and Social Media Manager Emily Turner, Lighting Board Operator Wesley Freeman, Program Designer and Deck Captain Paige Showen, and House Management Paige Showen and Finn Juliano. All student technical directors also served as their show’s costume, scenic, props and lighting designers. Faculty advisors for “Remember When” are Ashley Miller-Scully and Spencer Musser.

Tickets are free for UCM students. General public tickets are $1 and are available at the door. The Black Box Theatre has limited seating, so arriving early is encouraged. Parking is available in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletic Center parking lot. 

For more information, please contact Ashley Miller-Scully at almiller@ucmo.edu.