South Albany students guide two of three spring plays

South Albany will present three one-act plays for its spring production, and two of them are musicals directed by juniors Zach Rushing and Jesse Anderson.

"Both of them are extremely talented," said longtime South Albany theater director Beth Bentley, who is directing "Audience," a satire by Michael Frayn.

The one-acts will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the South Albany Theater.

Rushing, who is graduating a year early next month, directs Stephen Sondheim's "Marry Me a Little."

He also directed a one-act play last year, in addition to playing Charles in "The Foreigner," and Mr. Mushnick in the 2007 production of "Little Shop of Horrors."

Rushing, the South Albany theater president, enjoys directing.

"There's a lot of creative expression in being a director, and there's a lot of control of things," he said. "I like to be in control."

Rushing received the school's senior thespian award Wednesday.

"Zach has been phenomenal in theater in the three years he's been here," Bentley said.

Anderson directs "AlienNation," which he co-wrote with his cousin, Tyler Higley of Beaverton. Anderson also wrote the music and lyrics for the play.

"Jesse is artistic and an incredible writer," Bentley said.

He describes himself as "a huge Beatles fan" and says he'll probably study music in college and possibly become a teacher.

Here's more on each of the one-acts:

"AlienNation"

The musical is about the idea of people being excluded or feeling alone, Anderson said.

"There's this guy whose girlfriend just died and he meets new people he becomes friends with," said Anderson, who plays the role of Jason.

Other cast members are Jenna Johnson, James Murray, Emery Atwood, Cole Smith, Kyle Dickeson and Zach Burlington.

"Marry Me a Little"

Rushing and Shae Golliner have the only roles in this musical about two single strangers who are left alone on a Saturday night in their studio apartments. They never know they're just a floor away from each other.

"Audience"

The play takes place in a West End theater in London. The characters include a playwright who agonizes over crinkling candy wrappers and inattention to his play and theatergoers who are sitting in the wrong seats.

Cast members are Emery Atwood, Gillian Alden, Carol Downey, Joe Anderson, Kayla Bunce, Cameron Carter, Cole Smith, Kyle Dickeson, Nathan Roch, Destiny O'Connor, Jacob Swing, Brie Robbins and Carlie Gibson.

CHECK IT OUT

What: Three one-act plays: "Audience," directed by Beth Bentley, and the musicals "AlienNation," directed by Jesse Anderson, and "Marry Me a Little," directed by Zach Rushing.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Where: South Albany High School Theater, 3705 Columbus St. S.E.

Tickets: $4 for adults, $3 for students and seniors.

Assistant director: Mark Grimes.

Costumes: Carmen Fraijo and Brittnee McQuarrie.

Crew: Miles Barron.