Encounter Virginia Woolf, a lonely puppet, a curious opossum and two worms who fall in love all in a single evening as the Westmont College Theatre Arts Department stages an eccentric, fast-paced slate of short-form storytelling.
Performances of “The Future is Short,” set in a variety of site-specific locations in and around Westmot’s Porter Theatre, take place Oct. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee Oct. 17 at 2 p.m.
Organizers recommend advance reservations due to the intimate staging, which limits seating. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $12 for students and seniors.
For tickets or more information, visit westmont.edu/boxoffice or email theatre@westmont.edu.
The production celebrates the international release of a new anthology published this fall by Bloomsbury Publishing and edited by Westmont Professor of Theatre Arts Mitchell Thomas.
The collection draws from the creative output of the Westmont Theatre Hive, which produced more than 120 original plays over the past 13 years. While 20 of those original works earned spots in the published book, six return to the stage for this special event.
Designed as a walk-through promenade, the show moves audiences from piece to piece through a range of comedic, dramatic and thrilling narratives.
To honor this milestone, the production reunites a multi-generational creative team of current students and standout alumni. Seven program graduates contribute across directing, lighting, costume, scenic and sound design.
“This anthology captures 13 years of creative risk-taking on our campus,” Thomas said. “Bringing our alums back to direct and design alongside our current students bridges generations of Westmont artists while showcasing the national reach of our theater program.”
The 13-member cast performs the eclectic array of characters, showcasing the endless possibilities of short-form theater. Guests dive into each short play’s compelling universe and celebrate the power, joy and rapid-fire energy of the medium.
“Traditional theater keeps viewers parked in static seats, but this format turns the entire experience into an active playground,” Thomas said. “Audiences share space with the performers, which strips away the distance between the stage and the seats.”
Support from the office of the provost and the Sacred Stories Project underwrites guest artist participation and collaborative design elements. Attendees can purchase signed copies of the new Bloomsbury anthology at intermission.