French actor and playwrite Serge Valleti, known for his psychological and imaginative works, will make his mark on Penn State when two of his plays come to campus next week.

Compagnie la Fugue, a small innovative theater troupe from Paris, will perform plays presented by the Penn State French department and the French-American Cultural Foundation on Monday. The plays are being showcased in conjunction with six French films to raise the profile and awareness of French culture.

"The department is trying to bring an example of contemporary French culture directly from Paris to Penn State, and there is no better way than to bring a French play, especially one that is accessible in English," said Thomas Hale, head of the French department.

The plays will be accompanied by English "supertitles" that will appear on a large screen above the stage, said Kate Stine (senior-French). Her experience learning and living in French culture gives her an added perspective to take into the performance.

"Having lived in France last year, I had the opportunity to get acquainted with French theater," Stine said. "French plays are really unique. The supertitles should not keep people away."

The evening will feature two one-act plays, Front Desk and Marys' at Midnight, which offer dramatic insight into everything from everyday experiences to the hidden intricacies of French life and culture.

Performed by Benjamin Sisqueille and Marc Dumontier, Front Desk centers on a young man's conversation with a hotel clerk, which leads to tension, suspense and unexpected epiphanies.

Marys' at Midnight follows the life of a woman and probes into her innermost thoughts, dreams and fears as she goes about her days. Sylvie Harland will perform with Dumontier and Sisqueille alternating at the piano.

Many French students are already anticipating the arrival of Valletti's plays. Deirdre McAnally (graduate-French) said several instructors in the French department are encouraging students to attend.

"I am definitely going to it," McAnally said. "I recommended it to all my students. There are not many opportunities to see original plays in French."

The evening of French theater will be begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Eisenhower Auditorium.