The York University Theatre Department will present its annual Emerging Director One-Act plays Friday and Saturday, November 10 and 11, starting at 7:30 PM.

Two shows will take place in the Scene Shop Theatre in Gurganus Hall on the university campus. The evening of one-acts is open to the public. No tickets or reservations are required.

 

The first show of the night is Sham! by Stella Chester, which is directed by senior Dalton Brandt. His assistant director is Addison Harrold. Sham! opens with a thief breaking into the suburban home of a wealthy couple looking to steal valuable art and belongings. When the couple returns home, the thief reprimands the couple for having such an awful taste in art. Scared of being seen as shams, the couple attempts to convince the thief to take some of the finest pieces they own. This comedy uses humorous repartee to make for non-stop laughs!

The cast includes Morgan Hamm, Alex Harwell, Drake Richtarik and Ascha Utter.

Dalton is a theater communications major, directing his first one-act at York University. He has appeared in No Opera at the Op’ry House or Too Good to be True as Big Gulch, The Commedia: Pinocchio as Pantalone, 26 Pebbles as Actor 3, Rest Stop as Ben Gerard, Fools as Slovich, Jack in the Blue Ridge Mountains as various characters, The Darkest Hour as the prison attendant, Ten Minute Fairy Tales as various characters, The Stinky Cheese Man as Rumpelstiltskin, the king and the cow head, and Diggin’ Up the Boys as the boy.

He is a member of the York University Singers, Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society and a member of Kingsmen social club. Dalton Brandt is from Aurora, Neb.

The second show of the night is What Shall We Do With the Body? by Rae Shirley, which is directed by Leah Lane-Embray. Her assistant director is Eli Lane-Embray. This dark comedy follows an eclectic murder mystery writer, her assistant, and a mysterious man who shows up on their doorstep as they attempt to find out who they can trust. You will be constantly asking yourself what to believe while you watch this show, and every twist adds a bit more intrigue.

The cast includes Em Gaylor, Eli Lane-Embray and Bekah Powell. 

Leah is a senior psychology major and is also directing her first one-act for York University. Leah appeared in No Opera at the Op’ry House or Too Good to be True as Madame Violetta, 26 Pebbles as Actor 5, Rest Stop by as Mimi Gerard, Blithe Spirit as Elvira, Fools as Lenya Zubritsky, Jack in the Blue Ridge Mountains as Jack’s Mom, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Rona Lisa Perretti, Ten Minute Fairy Tales as various characters, and At the Bottom of Lake Missoula as various characters. 

She is a member of the York University Singers, Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society and vice president of Omega Phi social club. Leah Lane-Embray is from St. Joseph, Mo.

Gurganus Hall is located at 938 Kiplinger Avenue.