West Chester University’s Department of Theatre & Dance Presents Student Written One-Acts 
West Chester University’s (WCU) Department of Theatre & Dance presents Student Written One-Acts (SWOAs) from March 21–23, 2025, in the J.P. Adler Studio Theatre, E.O. Bull Center for the Arts, 2 E. Rosedale Ave., West Chester. The production runs Friday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 22, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available at wcupatix.com/theatreanddance.
Student Written One-Acts is an annual showcase featuring original one-act plays written by students in the THA 313 Playwriting course. This production allows students to bring their creative visions to the stage while addressing themes relevant to the West Chester University community. In addition to writing the plays, students serve as directors, designers, technicians, stage managers, and actors, making this a fully student-driven event.
THA 313 is a playwriting course that immerses students in the process of writing for the stage, exploring both its possibilities and limitations. The course covers key elements such as set and costume considerations, characterization through action and dialogue, and the challenges of establishing motivation. Students also participate in informal readings of their work, refining their scripts while focusing on a play’s overall themes, character development, and narrative cohesion.
"This is our largest production in terms of student involvement," says Assistant Professor and Production Manager Christen Mandracchia. "Because we produce several one-act plays written, directed, designed, and performed by students, this weekend of short plays allows us to welcome many who don’t typically participate in our mainstage shows. We see a lot of first-time actors, non-majors, and many first- and second-year students. Everyone has a great time and learns something, too. It’s a wonderful training opportunity."
The Department of Theatre and Dance at West Chester University, an accredited institution of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, prepares students for the professional and the academic worlds of Theatre and Dance, while raising student awareness of civility, diversity, creativity, problem solving and social responsibility. The department offers a BA Theatre degree program with elective concentrations in Musical Theatre, Performance, and Design and Production, in addition to a dance minor and theatre minor.
Additional Dept. of Theatre & Dance season offerings this season include Rent from April 3 - 6, and The Spring Dance Concert from April 24 - April 26. Tickets for both events are now on sale at www.wcupatix.com.