Audience members experienced two extreme sides of theater in “An Evening Of One Acts,” put on by members of the Alpha Psi Omega Honors Society in Vonnie Borden Theatre. The night included a one-act comedy, followed directly by a one-act horror production.

“It’s a really interesting experience, especially because of how different the two plays are,” said Chelsea Krause, president of Alpha Psi Omega and director of the horror performance titled “The Turn of the Screw.”  “It’s kind of funny, you know, and it’s strange, but it’s kind of a cool experience, especially for the audience because they get to see two completely different pieces in one night, but still enjoy theater. So it’s a weird little thing.”

The first one-act comedy, written by Kurt Vonnegut, was directed by Veronica Gutierrez and titled “Who Am I This Time?”  The play told the story of Harry Nash, a socially awkward actor who participates in a small-town theater production and fulfills his character role on an extreme level.

“The Turn of the Screw,” written by Henry James, depicted a story about a newly hired governess who is in charge of caring for two children and finds herself in the middle of a haunted history.

According to Krause, the two one acts having such opposite genres was not purposeful.  Both directors were told to pick a couple of plays during last spring, and the faculty of Alpha Psi Omega chose the best. 

“It was nice; it was different.  It was something Southeastern has never done,” said Gutierrez.  “We’ve never had a series of one-acts as our main stage production, so it was great being the pioneers for something that hopefully happens again.”

Having two one-act plays offer benefits as well as difficulties. According to Gutierrez, it is easier because it is shorter, but having two plays in one night meant shared rehearsal time, rehearsal space, designers and more. 

For MJ Ricks, who played four characters in “The Turn of the Screw,” having a one-act play did not make the task of preparing any easier.

“This one was probably the hardest thing I have ever undertaken by far.  Even though it’s only an hour and 15 minutes, we’re on stage the whole time, and it’s such a heavy line load,” said Ricks.

A one-act play is different from longer drama for an obvious reason: there is only one act.  The actors do not break for act two or three, but stay on stage for the entire duration of the play.  From the director’s viewpoint, this offered a sense of release and anxiety.

“The thing with this that is actually really cool is the second the curtain comes up, you can’t do anything anymore,” said Krause.  “But at the same time it’s all you, so it’s nerve-racking. It’s nerve-racking to see how the audience thinks about it.”

The comedy “Who Am I This Time?” brought much laughter from the crowd. To the frustration of some of the cast, so did “The Turn of the Screw.”

“There was laughter in places there shouldn’t have been because of the nature of my piece, but I think it was just discomfort. The audience didn’t know how to react to a horror piece because we’ve not done one in so long. They don’t have it in their bones,” said Krause.  “And also it came out directly after a comedy, so they’re prepared to laugh, and they’re going to try to laugh more.”

For more information about upcoming events in Southeastern’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts call 985-549-2184 or visit www.selu.edu/fpa.