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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (Apr. 23, 2002) – Milligan College will focus on the arts next week when it presents the 16th annual One Act Festival, a juried arts show, a jazz ensemble concert, and a Milligan Singers and Handbell Concert.
Fine arts are a core part of the Milligan liberal arts tradition. This year over 60 theatre students will be involved in the festival.
“Theatre is a new thing for me,” explains senior student director Anna Johnson. “Milligan theatre is a great adventure for me.”
The festival is kicked off annually with a campus-wide picnic to help involve the whole campus in the event.
“I think viewers will walk away from the festival with a greater appreciation for the arts,” said sophomore student director Michele Dietz.
On April 29th, three hilarious comedies plays by David Ives will kick off the festival, “Words, Words, Words,” “The Philadelphia,” and “Variations on the Death of Trotsky.” “Words, Words, Words,” a comedy directed by senior Suzy Bombgardner from Savannah, Ga., deals with chaos and fate. It is based on the theory that monkeys typing into infinity could sooner or later produce “Hamlet.” The cast includes senior Rebecca Gootee, sophomore Evan Longfield, freshman Crystal VanMeter, and Tim Bombgardner.
“The Philadelphia,” a comedy directed by senior Hannah Carson from Raleigh, N.C. is about how to handle life when having a bad day. The cast includes senior Tom Wiles, junior Dave Guyer, and freshman Melanie Veasey. The stage manager is junior Jamie Osborne.
“Variations on the Death of Trotsky,” is a comedy directed by senior Chesa Gonzales from Washington, D.C. This play shows the Russian revolutionary Trotsky on the day of his demise, desperately trying to cope with the mountain-climbers axe he has discovered in his head. The cast includes sophomore Andrew Baxter, sophomore Annie Tipton, and sophomore Kevin Mason. The stage manager is sophomore Junia Gindlesperger.
On April 30th, Milligan theatre will present two one act plays, “Cameras” and “I Wandered Lonely.” “Cameras” by Jon Jory is directed by senior Jenny Trivett from Johnson City, Tenn. This play shows how photography, when taken too far, can directly affect society. The cast consists of 13 students, including sophomore Jara Henderson, sophomore Dan Pavlin, freshman Adam Williams, freshman Matthew Mueller, freshman Chad Parker, freshman Michael Ottinger, freshman Don Wallingford, freshman Sara Clark, freshman Rachel Bloch, and sophomore Alicia Henley. The stage manager is freshman Diane Hosteller.
“I Wandered Lonely” by Heldor Schafer is a comedy directed by senior Adam K. Meyers, from Elizabethton, Tenn., is about a hospital regular who is interested in a relationship with a nurse, but the nurse wants him to teach him there is more to life than hormones. The cast includes sophomore Eric Blackburn and junior Kristen Kerkvliet. The stage manager is freshman Nathan Clark.
On May 1st, Milligan theatre will present three one act plays, “Love and Peace, Mary Jo,” “Death of a Legend,” and “Ferris Wheel.” “Love and Peace, Mary Jo,” by James Nicholson is directed by senior Anna Johnson, from Colorado Springs, Colo., is about a friendship that lasts through a serious illness and reveals what true friendship should look like. The cast includes Milligan graduate Paul Helphinstine, sophomore Paige Wassel, and senior Amber Ybarra. The stage manager is freshman Julie Grimm.
“Death of A Legend” by Dean Barrett is a play directed by sophomore Michele Dietz, from Las Vegas, Nev., is about the world of hit men, all at different stages of their careers. It sheds light on a world of lies, greed, and regrets, as audiences view the conflicts between the young, inexperienced kid and the veterans of the trade. The cast includes freshman Josiah Potter, sophomore Cam Huxford, and sophomore Adam Barras. The stage manager is Missie Mills.
“Ferris Wheel” by Mary Miller is a comedy directed by junior Christan McKay from Pendleton, Ind., is about an unlikely couple who meet on a ferris wheel, but it’s also about accepting oneself and loving others for whom they truly are. The cast includes junior Kristen Speak, junior Jonathan Hall, and stage manager freshman Natasha Hill.
“Directing has been challenging and rewarding,” said student director Christan McKay. “It stretches me to my fullest extent as a person and as a student of theatre.”
On May 3rd, Milligan theatre will present an original screenplay by freshman Magnolia Boddy from Johnson City, Tenn. entitled “That’s Me in the Corner.” This short film was directed by sophomore Warren McCrickard, from Richmond, Va. This film is about a man who loses everything and in the process gains one thing. The cast includes senior Jason Hotchkin, junior Lauren Webb, senior Phil Brown, junior Adam Kneisley, freshman Victoria Bailey, senior Julie Roth, and freshman Magnolia Boddy. The production manager is sophomore Eric Starr.
“I hope students get a sense of cultural flavor from the festival,” said student short film director Warren McCrickard. ” I also hope they see the ministry that the film and theatre areas are exhibiting.”
The one act plays will start at 6 p.m. nightly on April 29, 30, and May 1, in SUB 7 Coffee House. The short film will start at 6 p.m. on May 3 in Wilson Auditorium. Other fine arts activities include a juried art show on Apr. 29 at Ground Zero Gallery. Leisa Paine Brooks, Entertainment Editor for the Johnson City Press, will be among those judging the show. That evening at 7:30 p.m. there will be a Jazz Ensemble Concert under this direction of Rick Simerly, associate professor of music, in Seeger Chapel. Also on Apr. 30 there will be a Milligan Singers Concert under the direction of Carlene Eastridge, assistant professor of music, and a Handbell Concert under the direction of David Runner, professor of music, at 7:30 p.m. in Seeger Chapel.
For more information about the one act festival, please contact the Milligan College theatre department at 423-461-8771.