The original productions “Doorway to the Shine” and “Cosmic Disarray” will debut Friday night in Culbertson Auditorium on Nov. 7-8 at 7 p.m. Featuring the work of six theatre majors, the shows will fulfill senior projects for Darsha Bechard, Jamie Fitzgerald, Cody Green, Cody Martin, Shane Rogers and Chloe Wootton. The two plays will run consecutively separated by a 30-minute intermission. Admission is free with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Senior Jamie Fitzgerald of Liberal, Kansas, designed the set for “Doorway to the Shine.” She has been involved in building and painting many sets while a student, but this is the first time she has designed an entire set.

“While thinking of what I wanted to accomplish with this set I also had to consider what would work for ‘Cosmic Disarray.’ I decided to go more abstract and went with a two-tiered platform that could be rotated for a different look for each show,” said Fitzgerald.

As a theatre major with a concentration in technical theatre, Fitzgerald has been involved in building and painting many sets while a student. She has also been involved in acting, making appearances in “Harvey,” “South Pacific,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Children of Eden.”

Green’s portrayal of Canter in “Doorway to the Shine” is his sixth role on stage while a student at Sterling College. He has also worked on lights, costumes and set construction. He has also filled the roles of director, stage manager, property manager and house manager. Green is majoring in theatre arts with a concentration in performance and art and design with a concentration in graphic design.

“Previously, my favorite role was The Artist/Bilker in ‘The Great Divorce.’ The role really challenged me to move to the next level and use all the skills that I have been learning while at Sterling. My role as Canter in ‘Doorway to the Shine’ has also really challenged me to use everything that I have learned as an actor and put them to use, so in this way it is my favorite role,” said Green.

“Doorway to the Shine,” written by Rogers of Peck, Kansas, centers around two sovereigns of an empire who have come about their power in a dishonorable fashion. Amidst dealing with the consequences of their actions, they are faced with the conflict of how to save their empire from a complete rebellion while also maintaining power. Rogers’ characters learn how to deal with past wrongs while experiencing second chances.

The second play, “Cosmic Disarray,” was written by Martin of Hutchinson, Kansas. Also a senior project, Martin’s play is a tribute to the science fiction B movies of the 1950s. After an alleged spaceship crashes in a small Kansas town, a father and son realize that anyone in the town could be from outer space. The story documents the effects of this extraterrestrial event on the son, father and their fellow townspeople.

The two plays will be directed by Bechard of Belleville, Kansas, and Wootton of Norco, California.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.