A little something for everyone – a little comedy, a little drama will take the stage as Sterling College Theatre presents its annual season finale, “An Evening of One-Act Plays,” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 in Culbertson Auditorium on the Sterling College campus. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.

The production serves as the capstone project for students in the Directing course taught by Lesa Brown, offering a showcase of student directors who bring a diverse collection of short plays to life. Each one-act highlights a distinct style, tone, and theatrical challenge, creating an engaging and varied night of theatre. In addition to the performances, the evening will also include the presentation of annual theatre awards, recognizing outstanding work by students throughout the year.

In “The People in the Glass Paperweight” by Gene McKinney, director Morgan Pellegrino brings to life a whimsical and thought-provoking scenario in which two miniature figures—played by Abi Sawin and Kurt Keegan—exist within a glass paperweight, observing and commenting on the human world around them, including interactions with a third character portrayed by Ean Heise.

Christopher Durang’s “DMV Tyrant,” directed by Mari Inchauriga, delivers sharp comedic satire as Julia Facio and Brennan Blake bring to life an absurd and all-too-relatable clash between a domineering DMV employee and a bewildered customer caught in a bureaucratic nightmare.

In “A Long Trip” by Dan McGeehan, director Mckenzy Carter crafts a reflective and emotionally resonant piece that interweaves the lives of a couple across time, with Chandler Reiman and Violet Epp portraying the older pair, while Cristian Vargiu and Julia Facio embody their younger selves, creating a layered exploration of love and memory.

Director Adam King guides “The Genius” by Horace Holley, a playful yet philosophical encounter between a boy and a mysterious man. Liv Ivie and Andrew Stansbury bring warmth and curiosity to a story that examines imagination, identity, and the elusive nature of brilliance.

Another work by Christopher Durang, “The Actor’s Nightmare,” is directed by Bailey Brewer and features a fast-paced comedic premise in which Austin Hewitt’s character is suddenly thrust onstage, unprepared, into a series of mismatched theatrical scenes. Surrounded by an ensemble including Rory Oberle, Cassidy Ghere, Kassia Lopez, and Broc Harland, the result is a whirlwind of theatrical chaos and humor.

Rounding out the evening is “He’s Having a Baby” by Fred Carmichael, directed by Kim Skirvin. This comedic piece turns expectations on their head as a group of women – portrayed by Willa Bryant, Hallie Warner, Claire Norris, Kayleann Harrington, and Harleigh Baker – grapple with the surprising and humorous premise of a man about to give birth.

Together, these six one-acts represent the culmination of a semester’s work in directing, as students move from script analysis to casting, rehearsal, and performance.

Paired with the presentation of annual theatre awards, the evening becomes both a showcase and a celebration—honoring the creativity, collaboration, and accomplishments of Sterling College Theatre students over the past year.