An ensemble of student playwrights from the English Department will perform a series of individual plays on Dec. 9 and 10, at the Raven Playhouse in North Hollywood.

The New Work Festival of Student Plays will allow the students of English 310 to showcase their play writing by producing and performing a portion of their own individually written plays.

Rick Mitchell, professor of the class, said “Play writing, unlike fiction or poetry, is all about giving a performance which gives the students the opportunity to see both sides of the play and production process.”

Marcel Hill, a student playwright performing this weekend, said “As a writer, especially with play writing, it is meant to be performed. It’s not everyday, that I get to take my work and perform it for people outside of my class to see.”

Sahag Gureghian, student playwright and cinema and television major, shared a similar sentiment.

“Seeing my work come to life is a great feeling,” Gureghian said. This is a great and fun opportunity for everyone to show off our passion for writing and for the other students to see how good the writers here are.”

Many of the students participating began the play writing process at the beginning of the semester. “As far as writing the play, we knew at the start of the semester. It can be a long process. I started revising mine two months ago,” Hill said.

The showcase will feature a monologue, as well as a variety of genres and diverse themes such as mystery, suspense, comedy and everyday social issues.

“We have 8 plays, all different not only in theme but in writing styles. It really is going to be a good show because it has such a variety, Hill said. “It really has something to offer everyone.”

In addition, the students were given creative control as far as deciding which part of their play they wanted to perform.

“Each person will put on a play ranging from 10 minutes to half an hour. Mine is simple but entertaining, it is not something that will put everyone to sleep,” Gureghian said.

This year’s showcase is off campus, due to funding from both the English and humanities departments.

“Being able to have the performances at an off-campus theatre is a great opportunity. It is open to the public, and gives the students a different mentality than they would have in just the classroom setting,” Mitchell said.

The showcase is a two-night show this weekend on Friday and Saturday night at the Raven Playhouse in North Hollywood.

The 60-seat theatre is located at 5233 Lankershim Boulevard, half of a block north of Magnolia Boulevard.

The show is scheduled to start promptly at 8 p.m., and admission is free with reservations and refreshments will be served. If interested in making a reservation please e-mail your name, phone number and the number of people in your party to urbanensemblepr@yahoo.com.

Renee Hassijacan be reached at ane@sundial.csun.edu.