SERIES OF ONE-ACT PLAYS DIRECTED BY SOUTHEAST STUDENTS ON TAP

A series of one-act, student-directed plays begins today at Southeast Missouri State University.

The first play, performed at 7 tonight, will be presented in the lab theater, Grauel Language Arts building, room 104.

"Laundry and Bourbon," directed by Kara Cracraft, is set on a back porch in Texas, and showcases three women who gossip about the open secrets of their small town. Edged in bitter humor, "Laundry and Bourbon" shows the women are strong in the face of conflict.

Following "Laundry and Bourbon" will be "Asleep at the Wheel" directed by Abbie Crites. The play, a lyrical, gently, humorous look at a teenager named Rootie and her favorite older brother Beau, who must tell her he will soon be leaving home.

Also performed today at Academic Terraces at 3 p.m. will be "The Color of Heat," directed by Debra Call. It is a drama that focuses on a couple in their mid-30s who try to mend their broken marriage.

On Thursday, "Suppressed Desires," directed by Jamie Weiss will be presented at 7 p.m. in the lab theater, followed by "The Dear Departed," directed by Sharon Wickerham and "The 12 Pound Look" directed by Patty Foster.

"Suppressed Desires" is a comedy from 1917 that centers around the life of Henriette Brewster and her obsession with psycho analysis. "The Dear Departed" is the story of a family who, while grieving the loss of the grandfather, bickers over who will inherit his possessions.

"The 12 Pound Look," set in the early 1900s, tells of a man who thinks he knows the women in his life, but they prove he really doesn't.

On Sunday, the series continues near the bandshell in Capaha Park. "The Zoo Story," directed by Scott Hamann, will be presented at 3 p.m. It is the story of two men sitting in Central Park and how their failure to communicate leads to tragedy.

The final series of plays will be May 4 beginning at 7 p.m. in the lab theater. "It's Called the Sugar Plum," directed by Leah Petty, and "The Indian Wants the Bronx," directed by Alden Field, are both written by Isreal Horovitz.

"It's Called the Sugarplum" deals with the cordial relationship that develops between a young woman whose boyfriend was killed and the young driver who accidentally ran over him.

"The Indian Wants the Bronx" tells the story of how cultural differences can lead to the inability to communicate.

Admission to all plays is free.