The one-acts are this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and they have 4 wonderful shows in the span of less than two hours. The shows – Sure Thing, This Is A Test, The Universal Language and How To Survive the Zombie Apocalypse – are being directed by HTC seniors Desire Bennett, Jon Duska, Natalie Stevens and Max Sokoll, respectively.

Every winter, Harriton Theatre Company puts on a showcase of one-act plays which are mostly obscure shows. They take place in the black box and are made up of relatively small casts. The most unique thing about the Winter One-Acts is that they are student-directed.

We spoke with Desire Bennett to find out a little bit about what makes her show, Sure Thing, so exciting and why students should come out to see the shows.

HB: Can you give a short synopsis of Sure Thing?

DB: Sure Thing is about two people meeting for the first time. Like many first encounters, impressions are very important in the show. In the play, a bell rings every time the character Bill says something that could hinder the formation of their relationship. After many really funny mistakes, the two fall in love.

HB: Why were you drawn to directing a show with such a small cast?

DB: I like the intimacy of working with only a few actors. Since I hadn’t directed before, I also didn’t want to be overwhelmed by the possibilities of having many actors on stage.

HB: What has been your favorite part of directing?

DB: I think my favorite part, but also the hardest part, is having a vision in my head of what I want things to look like, and trying to execute them. I like being able to have a hand in the overall look of the show, and being able to decide what lights, costumes, and props go are used for the show the show.

HB: Has it been difficult to balance stage crew and directing for this show?

DB: It’s been really hard being a head of stage crew while also directing. Often, we held rehearsal while stage crew was going on in a different room, and trying to have control over both processes could be difficult. But, I have a great group of actors and a great crew, and I really enjoy being involved in as much as possible.

HB: How does it feel knowing that this is your second-to-last show?

DB: It’s really sad! But it makes me appreciate the time I spend at HTC more.

HB: Why are these winter one acts so unique and why should people come to see them?

DB: Each director hand-picked their show, meaning that each person has some kind of connection between their show and their own experiences – whether it’s just the type of humor within the show or if the show thematically speaks to them. The shows, therefore, cover topics that are really relatable to many people. People will definitely feel for the characters while also having a good laugh!

Although seats are limited, overflow seats that can be bought at the door. Go see the HTC Winter One-Acts on Thursday, February 4 (7pm); Friday, February 5 (7pm); and Saturday, February 6 (2pm, 7pm).