The curtain rises

Two actors rehearse on a stage set. Both are seated. The backdrop behind them is made up of painted pieces of plastic glued to a vertical surface.
Actors Andrew Poletto and Dani Neblock rehearse a scene from the one-act “Sure Thing” in February 2022. They will be some of the first performers to be part of a live-audience theatre production at Clark College since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Photo: Mark Owsley/Clark College.

In theatre, they say, timing is everything. And now, at long last, the timing is right to bring back live dramatic productions to Clark College. After moving to remote operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Clark College Theatre Department returns to in-person performances at Decker Theatre, with a collection of one-act plays running March 10-12.

“We are elated to return to live theatre,” says Theatre department chair Dr. Gene Biby. “After nearly a two-year hiatus, our students are thrilled to be rehearsing and performing once again. This production is six sketches that include a cast and crew composed of current and former Clark College students.”

All in the Timing is a collection of six one-act plays written by David Ives. Winner of the John Gassner Playwrighting Award, the collection has been described by the New York Times as “like sketches for some hilarious, celestially conceived revue. The writing is not only very funny, it has density of thought and precision of poetry.”

All in the Timing runs March 10, 11 & 12 in the Decker Theater, on Clark College’s main campus. Visit www.clark.edu/maps for maps and directions. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and tickets can be purchased through the Clark College Bookstore. Seats will be assigned upon arrival. Social distancing and mask requirements are in effect for these performances.

This show contains adult themes, language, and content and is recommended for a mature audience.

Full cast and crew

Sure Thing 

  • Directed by Linda Owsley
  • Cast:  Andrew Poletto and Dani Neblock                                                               

Words, Words, Words 

  • Directed by Sterling Buck
  • Cast:  Neil Wade Freer, Colby Conerly, and Lizzy Swanson

Variations on the Death of Trotsky 

  • Directed by Travis Beagley
  • Cast: Sterling Buck, Ariel Huntley, and Andrew Poletto

The Philadelphia 

  • Directed by Lila Soelberg
  • Cast: Andrew York, Brenden Kinnee, and Madison Harris

The Universal Language 

  • Directed by Autumn Fivecoats
  • Cast:  Lizzy Swanson, Neil Wade Freer, and Vic Paxman

English Made Simple 

  • Directed by Dani Neblock
  • Cast:  Ariel Huntley, Vic Paxman, and Corey Harper

Shelly Williams contributed to this article.