by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC
It is that time of year again – the Original Student One-Act Play Festival at Kansas City Kansas Community College.
“This year, we have an interesting mix of two very different one acts,” said Gary Mosby, interim theater coordinator at KCKCC. “First, we have a spin-off on the iconic sit-com TV show, ‘Friends.’ Then we have a look into the Black Lives Matter Movement. These plays are written and directed by our very own students. It is a great opportunity for them to experience what developing a play complete to production is like. In addition, there will be improvisational performances and interactive games played by our improv class.”
The One Act Festival is at 7:30 p.m. April 19 to 21 in the KCKCC Performing Arts Center, 7250 State Ave. There is also a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. April 22. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for non-KCKCC students and senior citizens. KCKCC staff, faculty and students with valid ID are free.
The festival is completely produced by students and mentored by faculty.
The 2018 Original Student One Act Play Festival includes:
• “Friends” spin-off “We’ll Be There (For You),” written by Stephanie (Kathy). The play follows the lives of the kids from the famous show – Ben, Emma, Jack, Ericka, Claire and Lorenzo. With their own narrations along the way, the friends tell about their lives while showing off their quirky sides. New and familiar things arise, all with the special “Friends” qualities everyone knows and loves. Follow the friends on the ups and downs of their friendship and discovering that they will always be there for each other, just as the theme song to the original TV show stated.
• “Slow Jamz” by Gary Enrique Bradley-Lopez. A young man was killed by the police for stealing a candy bar and the town turns to protest. Two young men, Jamz and Slow, end up at the protest, which causes a stir with the police. The two men hide at a barbershop with two barbers, Rodney and Foul Dawg. There, they have in depth conversations and debates on the hardship of life. The protest ends up outside, things get out of hand and life is lost. Be aware, the “N” word is heavily used and discussed in this play.
For more information or to reserve tickets, call 913-288-7305, or email [email protected].