'Sauk Shorts' includes six locally written plays

Corey Murray, Hillsdale Daily News
·3 min read

JONESVILLE — Celebrating the work of local playwrights is just one reason “Sauk Shorts” is one of The Sauk’s Executive Director Trinity Bird’s favorite productions each year.

"Sauk Shorts" is an annual presentation of short plays. This year’s production includes ten short plays including six by local playwrights and The Sauk’s first-ever ten-minute musical.

Bird said this is the 25th anniversary of the very first evening of short plays at The Sauk.

“The original evening of short plays (then called “Plays in May”) was held in 2000 and was continued for five consecutive years,” Bird said. “We revived the idea in 2014 and it has been an annual tradition ever since.”

The Sauk, Hillsdale County’s community theatre, is seeking new volunteers to work in the theatre box office.
The Sauk, Hillsdale County’s community theatre, is seeking new volunteers to work in the theatre box office.

Each year, The Sauk receives approximately 300-400 scripts to consider for Sauk Shorts from playwrights across the country. A committee of seven review the scripts and choose the final 8-12 to be produced.

This year’s selections include “The Empty Stage” by Bruce Crews of Jackson, “The Reception” by Sarah Gray of Jonesville, “Two Detectives Walk Into a Bar” by Jacob Weldon of Jackson and both “The Feast of Asses” and “Best Day Ever” by G.M. (Bud) Thompson of Grand Rapids. The evening also includes “God and Growing Old,” written, directed and performed by 97-year-old Bud Vear of Hillsdale.

Bird is also excited about “Bittersweet Lullaby,” the first ten-minute musical presented in Sauk Shorts.

“It is a beautiful script with even better music,” Bird said. “It is also exciting to have live music as part of the Shorts. The piano accompaniment will be performed live by Tom Ryskamp.”

Performances of "Sauk Shorts" are March 21-23 at 8 p.m. A 3 p.m. matinee will be performed on March 24. All tickets are $10. The March 21 performance is a Pay What You Can preview performance. Preview tickets are not sold in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thesauk.org or by calling 517-849-9100. The Sauk is located at 240 E. Chicago St. in Jonesville.

This year’s lineup consists of:

  • “The Empty Stage” by Bruce Crew, directed by Trinity Bird

  • “Sandbox” by Scott Mullen, directed by Sarah Gray

  • “Gimme Shelter” by Robert Weibezahl, directed by Jennifer Wagler

  • “The Feast of Asses” by G.M. (Bud) Thompson, directed by Andy Anderson

  • “Bittersweet Lullaby.” Book by Will Lacker. Music and Lyrics by Dylan Glatthorn. Directed by Bruce Crews

  • “The Reception” by Sarah Gray, directed by Conor Slatick

  • “God and Growing Old,” written and directed by Bud Vear

  • “The Selfie” by Scott Mullen, directed by Savannah Bruton

  • “Best Day Ever” by G.M. (Bud) Thompson, directed by Trinity Bird

  • “Two Detectives Walk Into a Bar,” by Jacob Weldon, directed by Josh Hall

The cast consists of Anderson, Bird, Travis Blatchley, Isaiah Brown, Meaghan Bryant, Erin Brzozowski, Shannon Chen, Brent Falke, Parker Falke, Sadie Falke, Morgan Francis, Ellie Gray, Gianna Green, Nathan Johnson, Patricia Jordon, Michael Krebill, Josh Lightner, Denise McCosh, Lucy Micun, Sandi Miller, Kiralyn Brakel Nelson, Nate Nelson, Mike Sutton, Allie Tappen, Danielle Allore Taylor, Tiffany Thatcher, Vear, Jeff Webb, Dez Webster and Weldon. The production is stage managed by Joella Hendrickson.

A talkback with the five local playwrights will be held immediately following the Saturday night performance.

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“I hope audiences will come out and enjoy this diverse night of theater,” Bird added. “It is a great showcase of all the talent in our community.”

This production is sponsored by Sandi Miller. The 2024 Sauk season is sponsored by Joyous Journey Photography, WCSR Radio Hillsdale, 99.5 The Dale, Simply Hers Magazine and McGraw Publishing. The Sauk receives support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Sauk is Hillsdale County’s Community Theater. For more information, including upcoming auditions, visit thesauk.org.

— Contact Reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: 'Sauk Shorts' includes six locally written plays