BHSU theatre department announces April performances

Black Hills State University theater students write and direct their own plays for the month of April 2017.

The Black Hills State University theatre department announces its spring play performance series that will include an original student production.

Shonee Singer, exercise science and communication studies and theatre major from Pekin, Ill., is directing an original play she wrote titled "Because I Can," which performs April 21- 22 in the Black Box Theatre, third floor of Woodburn Hall on the BHSU campus in Spearfish.

The BHSU directing class students are also each directing a one act play. There will be 11 total one acts performed from these students. Several student-directed one acts will be performed each night from April 25-28 in the Black Box Theatre at 7:30 p.m., with all 11 one acts performing at the Semi Annual One Act Festival on April 29 at 11 a.m. also in the Black Box Theatre.

Spring 2017 BHSU Theatre Department events:

 April 21-22:
o   Original student production written and directed by Shonee Singer, "Because I Can," in the Black Box Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

 April 25-28:
o   11 One Acts preformed in total over these dates, in the Black Box Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

 April 29:
o   Semi Annual One Act Festival, in the Black Box Theatre at 11 a.m.

Simon Fiske, speech communication education major from Gillette, Wyo., and Melissa Mason, speech communication and English major from Rapid City, directed student productions earlier this month during the Advanced Directing One Acts.

Fisk says he gained many experiences from directing his own play.

"The most important experience for me is the chance to refine my skills as a director, learn how to manage a show, and really collaborate with the actors to see our vision come to life," says Fiske.

Admission for the Spring 2017 BHSU Theatre Department events is free and no tickets are needed, but donations to support future productions are strongly encouraged.