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Oakton event features Midwest community college playwrights

Catch rising theater talent at Play On, a Chicago-based playwriting festival, July 28-30, at Oakton Community College's Studio One Theater, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines.

Now in its seventh year, Play On features six original one-act plays written and directed by community college students, starting nightly at 8 p.m.

"Play On is an amazing opportunity to enjoy new, young voices of theater," says Patti Interrante, Oakton professor of speech and theater and the festival's co-founder. "None of these plays have ever been produced before and we're thrilled to support talented playwrights by bringing their creations to life."

This year's selection of 10-minute plays includes:

• "On the Corner of Bhodhisaatva and Shangri-La" by Warren Garver (Parkland College). What happens when God doubts his own actions? Be a fly on the wall for this conversation between higher beings about their purpose in life.

• "The Bar Scene" by Cuyler Jenkins (Oakton Community College). Eyes meet. Sparks fly. Hope rises. A new twist on couples meeting at a bar.

• "Warrior" by Nicholas Klein (Oakton Community College). Courage takes many forms, as do enemies. What does it look like when faced with an enemy that's hard to fight? Being a warrior can mean fighting to live or finding the bravery to let go.

• "White Lies" by Mavrik McMeekan (Sauk Valley Community College). Everyone tells little white lies, but there is a price to pay when we can't stop telling falsehoods and start living the truth.

• "Welcome to the Neighborhood" by Stephanie Mohr (Oakton Community College). Meet the new neighbor who just moved in. Going door to door introducing himself, Paul re-connects with an old friend from high school and both find each other to be very different.

• "No Signal" by Chad Myler (Parkland College). Technology - including dating apps - continues to change the way we interact with individuals on a personal basis. See how a couple connect for the first time.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors; to purchase call (847) 635-1900 or visit www.oakton.edu/tickets. Proceeds benefit the Performing Arts Scholarship Fund.

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