KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) With just weeks to go before opening night, the student directors of MoCo Arts’ Staged Strangeness took to the airwaves this morning, joining Good Morning with Dan Mitchell on WKBK Radio to discuss their upcoming one-act play showcase.

On Thursday, March 26, student directors Kro Aronson, Zelda Zuser-Hedges, Mackensie Stacy, and Alexis Harvey, along with MoCo Arts’ Director of Theatre Laura Carbonneau, spoke about the excitement and challenges of directing their own productions. For the first time in MoCo Arts’ history, four high school students are leading their own one-act plays, bringing their creative visions to life in an evening of diverse and compelling performances.

Carbonneau, who has guided the students through the process, expressed these young directors have tackled complex pieces of theatre, learning not just about storytelling but also leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving. It’s been incredible to see their growth, she told Mitchell.

Each student director shared insights into their individual productions, set to premiere on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at The Founder’s Theatre in Keene:

  • Kro Aronson, directing “Captive Audience” by David Ives, described the play as “a hilariously meta and darkly comedic look at technology’s grip on our lives.”

  • Zelda Zuser-Hedges, directing “Life Line” by Douglas Craven, said, “It’s been amazing to explore character depth and relationships in a piece that blends humor and frustration.”

  • Mackensie Stacy, directing Theophilus North (One-Act Version) by Matthew Burnett, reflected on the journey of bringing the Jazz Age-inspired story to life, saying, “The process has been a labor of love, filled with creativity and commitment.”

  • Alexis Harvey, directing “37 Scenes & A Watermelon” by Ian Downes, shared, “Directing was completely new to me, but I’ve learned so much. This play is surreal, emotional, and so much fun to work on.”

Throughout the interview, Mitchell engaged the directors in discussions about their experiences, including the casting process, technical challenges, and what it’s like to lead a production for the first time.

Tickets for “Staged Strangeness” are $15 and are recommended for middle school audiences and older due to mature themes. They can be purchased at moco.org/tickets or by calling MoCo Arts at 357-2100.

Listen to the full interview: