For the next two weekends, Vienna Theatre Company will showcase a series of one-act plays that all highlight strong women characters.
The nonprofit performing arts company is typically housed in Vienna Community Center, however, the center is currently undergoing renovations, which prompted the theater company to host a series of one-act plays. “It’s not just our theater, it’s our rehearsal space that we’re without,” says board president Tom Epps. “A two-act play would have been difficult to do without a lot of time in the theater and not a lot of lighting, set pieces or costumes. We have one rehearsal and that’s it.”
As a result, Vienna Theatre will show four one-acts at Vienna Baptist Church. “[One-act plays] are small and self-contained and gave a chance to a lot people to direct something small,” Epps says.
The four one-act plays were selected based on available directors and what stories they were interested in taking on, however, all of the plays share the common theme of strong women characters.
One of the plays that Epps is particularly excited for is DMV TYRENT, directed by Jessie Roberts. It’s six-minute piece featuring two actors who perform the piece twice but switch their roles during the second performance, allowing the audience to see it from two different approaches.
Epps also notes that he will direct one of the plays, Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music. It’s centered on a woman and her niece who contemplate life on a deck above a bar playing classic country music. “I read about 50 plays before I found the play I wanted to direct,” Epps says. “I wanted to do something not deeply serious and something that had a sense of humor.”
Graceland and Asleep on the Wind round out the four one-acts, both directed by Barb Carpenter. The former tells the story of two Elvis Presley fans who bicker while waiting for the public opening of Presley’s Memphis mansion. Asleep on the Wind serves as a prequel to Graceland, wherein the main character, Rootie, faces the crushing news that her brother has been enlisted and has to serve in Vietnam.
Performances will take place Oct. 28 and 29 and Nov. 4 and 5. Tickets can be purchased at the door, at Vienna Parks and Recreation office or online. / / Vienna Baptist Church: 541 Marshall Road SW, Vienna
