Lock Haven University student directors prepare to offer a huge helping of theatrical performances.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - So much theatre that it takes two nights to perform! The University Players in association with the Student Cooperative Council and the Department of Performing Arts—Theatre Division close the fall theatre season with “Journeys: a Showcase of Work by New Student Directors.” “Journeys” is a tour-de-force of directorial debuts which features eighteen short plays directed by eighteen student directors and starring over 40 student actors. The two evenings of student-directed work (nine different short plays each evening) will cover a range of theatrical styles, with something to appeal to every taste. “Journeys: A Showcase of Work by New Student Directors” runs December 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. in the Countdown Theatre (Sloan 321) in the Sloan Fine Arts Center.

Thursday December 6th marks the opening of “Journeys” and features the work of nine student directors from Dr. Christine Woodworth’s THEA 335 Directing course.

Luggage comes to life in “Emotional Baggage,” a zany comedy by Nina Shengold, directed by Shawn Ergler. As you board your airplane, picture the worst: your belongings are thrown carelessly into unclaimed baggage. What happens to your bags when they disappear? The cast of cases includes Glen Vandermark, Dahiana Bilbao, Erika Hoffman, Julie Fisher, Derek Strouphauer and Josh Ferrell.

In “Five Scenes From Life” by Alan Brady and directed by Alỳsha Jones, Nina (Kelly Anne Burke) and Bobby (Joshua Miller) come from very diverse backgrounds and connect under inappropriate conditions. This connection turns to admiration, which leads to a deeper bond.

Lakiesha Graves directs Tennessee Williams’ short play “Moony's Kid Don't Cry.” Moony (Joseph Vaiana) is a hard working man who has a dream of something much bigger in life and is constantly nagged by his unsupportive wife Jane (Stephanie B. Reynolds). Their child tenuously connects them to each other as their marriage is pushed to the limits.

In “4 A.M. (Open All Night)” by Bob Krakower and directed by Amy Peart, a young man (Justin Bupp) drinks coffee at a diner at 4:00 a.m. when a woman (Christina Tongyai) enters. Their eyes meet. Jim (Sean A. Morrison), the man behind the counter, bets each to take a chance, to just say hello to the other. Fate then intervenes. Rounding out the cast is Joshua Ferrell as Doc.

“A Wife for a Life,” written by Eugene O'Neill and directed by Jared A. Bassette, is a story of friendship, forgiveness and revenge. It takes place on the edge of the Arizona territory in an 1850's mining camp, where two partners (Timothy L. Moyer and Derek Strouphauer) have just struck it rich. Surprises are revealed as they spin tales over the campfire. Rounding out the cast is Michael Nines, Jr..

Imagine being fifty, out of shape, and having a wife (Kirstyn Walter) nagging you about your drinking. Now imagine that you are the god of wine and fertility, immortal and divine. Follow Dionysus (Glen Vandermark) from orgies to Mount Olympus as he deals with his newfound mortality in “Midlife Crisis of Dionysus” by Garrison Keillor and directed by Ray Sturdevant. Rounding out the cast are Justin Bupp, Samantha Gibbs and Nikki Wasserman.

Ex-lovers Gail (Taylor Gary) and Eric (Matthew Faragasso) reunite in “The Man Who Couldn't Dance” by Jason Katims and directed by Whitney Pirnik. The two reminisce about their past, question what might have been, and wonder if their new lives are really fulfilling.

We’ve all had moments in our lives that we wish hadn’t happened or had happened differently. What if you could rewind those moments and try them again? See how one man (Cian J. Ruane) manipulates time in hopes of winning a date with a woman (Mallory Burns) he meets in a café in David Ives’ hilarious comedy “Sure Thing” directed by Rob Bergenstock.

Take one Teacher (Samantha Gibbs), a Do- Gooder (Ashley Reed), a Sucidical Jumper (Jackson Long), the rooftop of a building and one remote that controls human action, stir them up and you get one hilarious comedy about how to write a good play. “Playwriting 101: The Rooftop Lesson” by Rich Orloff and directed by Christina Tongyai shows us human limitations and the desires to break the bonds of those who control us.

Journeys continues on Friday December 7th with nine additional plays, showcasing the work of the remaining nine students in Woodworth’s class. “Cannibalism in the Cars,” written by Mark Twain and directed by Tucker Gordner launches the final night of eclectic theatre. “Cannibalism in the Cars” is a satirical comedy that pokes fun at the American political system. Snowbound in their train car, eight of America’s top politicians (Michael Nines Jr., Joshua Miller, Joseph Vaiana, Jaimie Monahan, Jenn Sine, Ali Harris, Nikki Wasserman, and Josh Allwein) must find a way to survive in the harsh climate without food. The ten person cast is sure to provide a chuckle or two all while reminding the audience that our elected officials can sometimes function in the most unusual ways. Rounding out the cast are Kyle Karmelita and Kevin Tulloch.

Have you ever experienced an immediate connection with a total stranger? Imagine doing so while stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel…and you’re afraid of heights! That’s exactly what happens when Dorie (Kathleen Good) and John (Matthew Faragasso) are both trapped on the ride with nothing to do to help pass the time, except to share the stories of their lives in “Ferris Wheel” by Mary Miller and directed by Kelly Anne Burke.

“Mix and Match” by Marsh Cassady and directed by Julie Fisher is a short farce about the interchangeable nature of relationships. Over the course of one afternoon, four high school friends (Casondra Force, Norma Jean Keller, Kyle Karmelita, and Paul Ewing) discover that they have been coveting their best friend’s significant other. Drama and hilarity ensue as they scramble to hide their true feelings.

“College Letters” by Dailyn Rodriguez and directed by Jen Clark portrays two college roommates from opposite worlds. Through their unusual conflicts revolving around their mail, Charlotte (Erika Hoffman) and Elvira (Taylor Gary) discover a friendship neither one of them expected.

“Patter for the Floating Lady” by Steve Martin and directed by Jaimie Monahan is an intriguing tale of failed love. It revolves around the Magician (Rob Bergenstock) and his former love, Angie (Mallory Burns). In one final attempt at salvaging their relationship, the Magician brings Angie to the theatre where he performs. The mysterious Assistant (Dahiana Bilbao) appears from the wings and challenges his control over Angie. Will he be able to win Angie back or will he lose her forever?

“Night Visits” by Simon Fill and directed by Cian J. Ruane follows Tom (Jackson Long), a young doctor, over the course of an unusual evening. A “nobody” patient by the name of Emily (Kirstyn Walter) comes in after a car accident and refuses to leave the hospital. Emily’s appearance may not be a coincidence on this strange night. Rounding out the cast is Valerie L. Halstead as Liz.

Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true! In “Poof!” by Lynn Nottage and directed by Stephanie B. Reynolds, Loureen (Lakiesha Graves) winds up in a predicament when she finds the thing she wanted most, becomes her worst nightmare. With the help of her best friend Florence (Shannon Murray), she tries to make sense of a surprising turn of events.

In “Johnny and Wilma” by Renee Taylor & Joseph Bologna and directed by Allie Sulley, Wilma (Whitney Pirnik) wants to make love but Johnny (Timothy L. Moyer) does not. Their argument escalates to the breaking point. Is it too late to save their marriage?

“I Love You, Virus” by Tom Grady and directed by Jamie Wilson is the story of a lonely older woman (Ashley Reed) whose desperate attempts at human contact leave the unsuspecting Service Man (Sean A. Morrison) uncomfortable and searching for an escape route. This show will have audiences doubled-over in laughter, confused beyond belief, and ultimately leave them with a twist that will touch their hearts in ways they could not imagine.

Curtain time for all shows is 8:00 PM. Admission is free to all Countdown Theatre productions on a first-come first-serve basis. Tickets for the performances will be made available beginning at 6:00 p.m. each evening outside of the Countdown Theatre (Sloan 321). One ticket per person. No tickets will be distributed in advance. Ticket-holders will need to be in their seats by 7:45 at which point seats are released to waiting list patrons. All seats are general admission and seating is limited. Please arrive early to all shows as no latecomers will be seated. For further information contact Dr. Christine Woodworth (570) 484-2853.