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Photo by Sam Harrel

What: UAF’s Student Drama Association presents “Winter Shorts”

When: 6 p.m. Sunday, 8:15 p.m. March 6, 7, 8, 2 p.m. March 9

Where: Salisbury Theatre, UAF

Tickets: $5 general, $3 with UAF ID. Tickets are sold at the door.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Student Drama Association is taking a long look at relationships and comedy with its Winter Shorts program.

Starting Sunday, the event features two student-directed one-act plays and the Ground Squirrel Improv group. The two plays are “Split,” directed by Andrew Cassel, and “Foreplay: or the Art of the Fugue” directed by first-time director Hadassah Nelson.

“Split” is the tale of a man deciding whether he want to break up with his girlfriend or not, then things get more complicated when an ex-girlfriend shows up in his life.

“Split,” written by Ira Gamerman, was originally read at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez. Coming full circle, the full cast of “Split” will perform the play at this year’s conference.

“It’s a good opportunity for people to appreciate who they are with,” said Cassel.

Although the play is only one act, Cassel said he had to create 10 different settings in a limited area, including Adam’s mind, a dive bar and Alaska. Cassel overcame the challenge with a clever use of lights and sound to invoke the diverse settings.

When he first read the play, Cassel said his first impression was the piece was fun and abstract. After casting and working on it with the cast, the play was brought to life.

“It seemed to fit together better,” he said.

The second play of the night, “Foreplay” also looks at relationships or the beginning of relationships. The play follows a lothario, Chuck, on three dates at three stages at his life. The set is based on Nelson’s only golfing experience, at Glow Putt Alaska on Cushman Street, and Nelson said it is the perfect setting to get her point across.

“I wanted it normal people but more sleazy,” Nelson said. “Dating is kind of sleazy.”

Because it is a one-act play, all three dates happen simultaneously and Nelson said this allows for short, fast-pace lines.

Nelson said she likes the shorts because the format allowed her and some younger actors the chance to participate without the large amount of commitment a full play would require.

“Everyone loves theater, that’s why they’re here,” Nelson said.

The shorter play material also provides freedom not found with full stage productions.

“We’re just have fun with stuff you wouldn’t normally see on the Main Stage,” Nelson said.

Rounding out the evening is a performance by the Ground Squirrel Improv Troupe. After becoming interested in improv in high school, Anna Gagne-Hawes said she and two friends founded the troupe in 2005 to fill the lack of improv in Fairbanks.

Gagne-Hawes said although the group is based at UAF, anyone from the community is invited to join the troupe.

“If you wanted to see what life in a kiwi factory looks like, Ground Squirrel can create that for you,” Gagne-Hawes said.

Cassel said the “Shorts” happen once a semester. While there is a faculty advisor, the majority of responsibility and work falls on the shoulders of the students.

“It rises or falls on it’s own skill, just as theater should be” Cassel said.