Already a tradition at Calvary Lutheran High School, seniors have the option to direct at the spring One-Act Festival.
Drama has been part of the school most of its 10-year history. But when the longtime drama teacher moved away this summer, students worried whether their awaited turn as directors would be possible.
Parent and theater-lover Louise Whitworth stepped in to help. And by January, five seniors were directing three one-act comedies of their own choosing.
The public can see this ongoing tradition at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at the school, located in Jefferson City at 2525 Route B. The Booster Association will serve a dessert bar following the festival performances. Admission is a freewill donation.
Ann Whitworth and Chloe Langlands are co-directing and acting in "Check Please" by Jonathan Rand. The show follows a series of blind dinner dates that couldn't get any worse-until they do.
Mary Elliott and Kenna Tervo are co-directing "13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview" by Ian McWethy. This play shares the frustration of two college recruiters as they try to fill the last spot at a prestigious college in an effort to keep their jobs.
And Alexander Yaws is directing "NSA: How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Don Zolidis, which demonstrates the value of tapping into the National Security Agency's arsenal of techniques to get ahead in life.
The humor and randomness of "Check Please" scenes is what drew in director Ann Whitworth, she said.
"I'm a fan of fast-paced plays and this had a special charm with I was reading the script," Langlands said. "I thought, "Oh my goodness, this is perfect.'"
Whitworth and Langlands agree they've made a good team, one with creative flair and the other with a plan of action.
"This has been three parts stressful, two parts exciting and one part "Oh my gosh, it's my senior year,'" Whitworth said.
In directing "13 Ways," Elliott and Tervo agreed they have learned professionalism and the value of calm communication.
"It's been a reality check for being a real leader," Tervo said.
The co-directors agreed they were going to miss the opening-night adrenaline kick behind stage, as they are "one wall away" from where we once were," Tervo said.
But Elliott said she is looking forward to the audience laughter.
"This is smack-you-in-the-face slapstick," she said. "Laughing makes you healthier."
Fulfilling his directing ambition has been fun and stressful, Yaws said.
"The earlier days were more fun, when we were getting to know the plays; it was our first time hearing the jokes," he said.
He's hoping the audience will find the polished delivery of the original jokes as funny as they have.
"This play appeals to those who like to criticize America, how outrageous as a society we've gotten," Yaws said.