Freshmen One-Acts test their mettle

This weekend a group of freshmen actors collaborated with the esteemed Barnstormers theater group to perform a set of one-act plays in the Arellano Theater.

These hard-working new additions to the theater scene here at Hopkins have been rehearsing the short plays since the beginning of Sept., working diligently to balance their commitment to the show with their commitment to a rapidly increasing academic workload.

On Friday, Oct. 7, their dedication was finally showcased to the public.

The eclectic collection of plays stimulates the audience's emotions from uncontrollable laughter to existential confusion. These one-acts, although different in tone and execution, are all tied together by the common theme of unhealthy romances.

Among the highlights of the night was a clever scene involving two telephone salespeople who work on opposite sides of a cubicle wall, entitled Cell Mates by Molly Best Tinsley.

Directed by sophomores Lien Le and Brandon Epstein, this scene kept the audience captivated in the world of the small, cramped cell in which Cass, portrayed by Anna Bellantoni, and Rob, portrayed by Ryan Blake, struggle to maintain a healthy relationship.

Perhaps the most exciting, climactic scene occurs when Cass climbs over the cubicle wall and into Rob's territory. What follows is a hilarious interaction in which Cass seduces Rob while he insists that she is invading his personal space. The situational irony of the scene is played brilliantly by Blake and Bellantoni, who seamlessly allow the mood to switch from one of comfort to discomfort as the wall of the cubicle, the wall that keeps their relationship separate, is broken down.

Another high point of the show was the extremely entertaining Bed and Breakfast by Richard Dresser. Directors Eliza Vasconcellos and Emily Sucher do a wonderful job of creating a satisfying dynamic between each of the five characters and the cast that depicts them.

Sarah, portrayed by Elizabeth Sherwood, thrusts a chair in front of her face to protect herself from her husband, portrayed by George Thoms, whom she believes is plotting her murder, only moments before the two embrace romantically. Alice, portrayed by Kaleigh Choi, willingly accepts a flower from her husband, portrayed by Matthew Lochner, who has a faulty memory and thus believes that they have never met.

But the entire cast is tied together by the brilliant comedic presence of Kathleen Lewis, who plays the part of a bitter, sassy Irish waitress that always serves terrible coffee. Lewis makes great use of the stage, and her comedic timing is always spot-on. Even when her character meets an untimely demise at the conclusion by drinking a poisoned cup of coffee, the entire audience roared in laughter.

The night ended with a bang as Margo Heston and Lucas Shores brought the frustrating relationship of Claire and David in Mary Michael Wagner's Two Truths and One Lie, directed by Geordan Williams, to life. In this play, a recently divorced couple races to their shared apartment at the end of each day in order to decide who gets to sleep there for the night.

The characters play the game on which the title is based, and the tension between them rises as each climbs a step with every round of the game that one or the other wins.

Not only are the power shifts between the couple felt dramatically throughout the theater as they alternate positions of dominance, but the sexual tension is apparent throughout the scene and played upon incredibly by Heston and Shores.

The show would not have been complete without the truly moving performances by the cast of the sentimental drama, Grown, written by Lena Beckenstein and directed by Matthew Sartucci and Charlie McGeorge.

The chemistry between Josh Langfus and Grace Mumby adds life to the scene. In addition, the confusing and mind-bending plot of Long Ago and Far Away, written by David Ives and directed by Matthew Sykes and Brandon R. Weber, adds a certain flavor to the show.

Michaela Kitson, Gregory Manker and Daniel Weissglass create a philosophically frustrating scene regarding the nature of existence. The themes of this scene are intensified by the subtle and effective lighting and the eerie music that plays at opportune points in the play.

At the end of the night, it is clear that the freshmen have done a wonderful job at showing their audience what they can do. Their future performances, whatever they may be, are highly anticipated.