University theater majors are testing their talent by producing a trio of student written plays.

Three scripts created in professor Mary Gage's play writing class, Theater 440, will be staged this semester as new playwright workshops, student run productions sponsored by the theater department.

The pieces are low budget, quality plays, workshop director Chantelle Rytter (junior-theater) said.

"Its a shoestring operation. Costumes are created through a process of beg, borrow, and steal," Rytter said. "Each play receives $25 and use of the Arts Building copy machine."

Workshop director Travis Dinicola (junior-theater) will kickoff the new playwrights season at 5:15 p.m., Feb. 7, 8 and 9 in 119 Arts Building with Heather Chakiris' work "There Once was a Man . . ." The drama is centered on a prolific writer who becomes obsessed with one of his subjects, a vagrant.

Chakiris said she drew inspiration for the play from a homeless State College man, and has dedicated her work to him.

Each group is staffed with a stage manager, set designer and occasionally a light designer. Workshops are not meant to be finished projects, but plays in the making, she said.

Cast members, who do not receive credits or money for the project, are given two weeks to rehearse before opening. Following each performance, discussions are held between the performers and audience. Through a question / answer / rap session the cast gains valuable feedback, Drinicola said.

Dinicola and Chakiris worked together casting performers, and often consulted about script changes to develop work pleasing to both creative minds, Chakiris said.

Rytter said that she is pleased that workshops this semester are granting University undergraduates a rare opportunity to direct. Traditionally, only faculty and students pursuing advanced studies were permitted to act as director.

Dinicola's reason for pursuing this more technical side of theater is simple and honest.

"I want to shape and create, rather than be just one of the paints on canvas," he said.

All workshops are open to the public, free of charge.