The University of Wisconsin-Superior Theatre Department will spotlight student creativity and leadership with a triple-feature of three student-directed productions: ‘Dentity Crisis, Actors Nightmare and Here We Are. Performances will be held in the Experimental Theatre at 7 p.m. on February 19 and 20, and at 2 p.m. on February 21.

“This is the second installment of UWS Theatre’s inaugural Theatre Lab Series featuring student-directed one acts,” said Sean Naughton, producing artistic director for University Theatre. “At UWS University Theatre, we are committed to providing meaningful opportunities for students to grow as artists – learning, experimenting, and developing the skills that will make them self-generative creators. This evening of plays features actors, directors, designers and technicians from every corner of our campus. The theatre program is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for student artists to self-generate work and apply the lessons learned in class in a substantial way.”

A Darkly Funny Take on Identity, Authority and Modern Meaning

Megan Peterson, an elementary education (K-9) major minoring in theatre, will direct ‘Dentity Crisis by Christopher Durang 

“Identity Crisis is a fast, absurd comedy that pokes fun at therapy culture, religion and the messy search for meaning in modern life,” said Naughton. “It follows a man in emotional freefall, as his encounters with therapists, authority figures and strained relationships spiral into increasingly strange and darkly funny moments. Through exaggerated characters and sharp humor, Durang shows how people try to build – and hold onto – some sense of identity in a chaotic world.”

A Surreal Comedy About Performance Anxiety and Theatrical Chaos

The Actors Nightmare, also by Durang, will be directed by Andy Hill, a biology major with a theatre minor.

“The Actor’s Nightmare is a fast, funny play about every performer’s worst fear: being thrown into a show you don’t know and expected to succeed anyway,” Naughton said. “When an accountant suddenly finds himself onstage in classic plays he’s never rehearsed, the situations become increasingly absurd and stressful. Through sharp humor and theatrical chaos, Durang pokes fun at performance anxiety, artistic pressure and the strange logic of dreams.”

A Witty One-Act About Newlywed Nerves and Intimacy

The third production, Here We Are by Dorothy Parker, will be directed by Cheyanne Warner, a theatre and digital film making major with a multimedia journalism minor.

“This is a short one-act play, adapted from a 1931 short story, that humorously explores the awkwardness of a newly married couple on a train heading to their New York City honeymoon,” said Naughton. “Through sharp, tension-filled dialogue, the couple masks their nerves about marriage and sexual intimacy by bickering over small, trivial things. What starts as witty banter slowly reveals just how anxious and unprepared they really are.”

Learning by Leading

For UWS students, the Theatre Lab Series offers a unique chance to test and refine their skills as directors.

“Tonight’s plays were imagined, cast, rehearsed, and brought to life by student directors working side by side with fellow student actors, stage managers, technicians and designers,” said Naughton. “Directing isn’t just about telling people where to stand – it’s about collaboration, listening to what the play wants to be, adapting to what you have, embracing limitations and guiding the ensemble through challenges toward a shared vision.”

Tickets for the triple-feature are $5 and can be purchased at the Holden Fine Arts Center box office or online. Reservations are available by calling (715) 394-8369. The Experimental Lab Theatre is in the Holden Fine Arts Center, 1805 Catlin Avenue, Superior.