“Technical Difficulties” brings seven shorts directed by Clark Theatre alums
Clark College Theatre presents its spring show, “Technical Difficulties” on June 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 in the Decker Theatre* in Frost Arts Center. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free for Clark College students, faculty, and staff with college ID. General admissions, $12; senior citizens, $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Clark College Bookstore website: www.clarkbookstore.com
About the show
“Technical Difficulties” is a collection of socially distant shorts that tap into the delights and frustrations of staying connected. It is designed to be performed on the internet as well as on stage.
The shorts are directed by Clark College Theatre alums Kyra Sanford, Seven Tempest Fairy, Patricia Murphy, Linda Owsley, Travis Beagley, and Theo Harrison and Dr. Gene Biby, a Clark College drama professor.
Below are titles, playwrights, directors and summaries of the shorts:
“Oyster” by Elaine Romero. Directed by Clark Theater alum Kyra Sanford.
The plot: Marisela negotiates a potential opportunity in a border world where kids live in government cages and being bilingual comes at a price.
View playwright’s bio here.
“Intro to Fiction (Virtual)” by Ken Urban. Directed by Clark Theater alum Seven Tempest Fairy.
The plot: During office hours, a professor discusses his student’s short story. When her characters feel too close for comfort for the professor, teacher and student must reckon with how to write a good ending.
View playwright’s bio here.
“Black in Blue” by Aurin Squire. Directed by Clark Theater alum Patricia Murphy and Clark Theatre Professor H. Gene Biby.
The plot: After one act of police brutality too many, one man decides to do something. But in trying to get “street justice,” he threatens his life, his brother, and his job.
View playwright’s bio here.
“Looking Back” by Arlene Hutton. Directed by Clark Theater alum Linda Owsley.
The plot: Kath was the last visitor to leave a major theme park before the pandemic lockdown. While reminiscing about life pre-Covid, two roommates challenge each other’s ideas of what truly makes a person happy.
View playwright’s bio here.
“Artful” by C. Quintana. Directed by Clark Theater alum Travis Beagley.
The plot: In the wake of her ex-husband’s departure, Taani logs on to a Metropolitan Museum of Art webinar. Suddenly in conversation with the art itself, she finds the event is more personal than she ever could have imagined.
View playwright’s bio here.
“Boredom, Fear and Wine” by Craig Pospisil. Directed by Clark Theater alum Theo Harrison.
The plot: When you’re stuck at home during a pandemic, everything happens online— even therapy. Harper is suffering and can’t reconcile feelings about the terrifying disease with the monotony of lockdown. Jess tries to be sympathetic, but the session goes off the rails.
View playwright’s bio here.
“Telephones with Cords” by Mashuq Mushtaq Deen. Directed by Clark Theater alum Kyra Sanford.
The plot: Bozz and Banjo, best friends and fellow puppets, are feeling the separation of a Zoom existence. Frustrated, Bozz wants to talk by phone, and Banjo can’t help but sense their friend’s growing existential despair. Usually the optimist, even Banjo begins to wonder about the hands at work in their lives.
View playwright’s bio here.
*Please enter Frost Arts Center through the front entrance, go through the lobby and into the exterior courtyard to the theatre entrance.
