This Friday and Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m., the Grady Thespians will perform Senior One-Act Plays in the Black-Box Theater. Directed by seniors and acted by Grady students of all ages, each performance is between 10 and 30 minutes. There are seven different performances, each directed by a senior. With subject matter ranging from hitchhikers to theology to climbing the corporate ladder, directors selected a smorgasbord of One-Acts that they hope will appeal to everyone.
“It’s like going to a bunch of plays in one evening,” said Grace Hawkins, a junior who acts in the play ‘Bedtime.’ It provides both comedy and drama, and every other type of play. [Plus], if you don’t like a play you only have to sit through it for about seven minutes.”
Tickets cost $10. The money covers the costs of the licensing fees that most senior directors had to pay in order for their play to be shown, in addition to the costs of props and costumes.
The One-Act plays signify the end of Grady theater for the year, and for seniors thespians the end of their high school careers.
The seven plays this year are ‘No Shoulder’, ‘Bake Off’, ‘Three Dimensions’, ‘Bedtime’, ‘In Paris You Will Find Many Baguettes, but One True Love’, ‘Midnight at World’s End’, ‘Heavy Cream’.
“[The plays] serve as a last hurrah for seniors,” said Molly Gray, the director of ‘Bake Off.’”
The plays also serve as a way for students who may be interested in acting to test the waters before diving into a full-length play
Gray says that the one-acts gave her a place to start her theater career at Grady. “As a freshmen I got cast my very [first year],” Gray said. “… There’s not much time commitment, there’s not much memorizing, and there’s a huge diversity of characters for you to go out for and see what works for you.”
The less serious nature of One-Acts make them a good place for audience members to discover theater too.
“It’s a good thing to come see because if you’re not really that into watching plays it’s a lot less intense.” said Chloe Citron, a junior who acts in the play ‘Heavy Cream.’ “Some of them … really don’t mean anything and are dumb and silly, and then some are so intense you cry.”
Whether you’re a dedicated theater fan or just want to give the Grady theater program a try, , Senior One-Act Plays have something to offer. And if you want to get involved with the Grady Thespians, make sure that you audition for the plays next year.
“You can find whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a good laugh or some emotional movement,” Hawkins said.
