The spelling of the word "theater" inspires at least tepid debate. Some think "theater" refers to the venue while "theatre" refers to the medium, but many examples to the contrary appear. It seems as though those who employ the "-re" spelling do so in the spirit of tradition, to honor the art and to pay it its lofty Old World dues.
The Smith College Theatre department holds on to this tradition even as it initiates a new one. At Smith, the "-re" spelling is used for both the medium and the venue, but their acceptance of new material is not blinded by convention. Starting this year and to be continued indefinitely every April, the Theatre Department plans to host a Festival of One-Act Plays written and performed by students. This year, plays by award-winning playwrights Lynne S. Brandon (Isosceles) and Rachel Lerner-Ray (Winter Requiem) of Smith and Darren Harned (Ephemera) of Hampshire College are featured.
Abbie Chase (left) and Janessa Kowal are pictured, in Ephemera.
April 17-19, 23-26, 8 p.m., $5-8, Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center, Smith College, Green Street, Northampton, (413) 585-2787, www.smith.edu/smitharts.
