Three separate stories conveying different philosophies on life all share the concept of American realism and prove that the country's development is never complete.

The Penn State School of Theatre will delve into these issues and more during the 12-day run of Series of American Theatre, an acting showcase for the first-year master of fine arts candidates.

Series, beginning with a preview at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Pavilion Theatre, consists of three one-act plays, each directed by a theatre professor. Although the stories are in no way related, they share the common thread of depicting serious and relevant issues in American society.

Bob Vernon is directing Dutchman, which he described as a "revolutionary" play written in 1964 by Imamu Amiri Baraka. Perhaps the most controversial of the three, Dutchman tells the story of Clay, a young black man who meets Lula, a white woman, on the subway. Racial overtones shroud their dialogue and romantic involvement.

"There is truth in the language and ideas, and it's frighteningly very true still," Vernon said. "At the end of a run-through, there was silence in the room. It was like people had been sucker-punched."

Wendell Franklin (graduate-theatre) said his portrayal of Clay led him to identify with many of his character's frustrations and also to examine how he deals with his own.

"[Clay] has become used to hiding who he truly is," Franklin said. "He's done a good job presenting to the white world a sort of representative, but keeping himself hidden."

Shedding light onto the complexity of Dutchman, Vernon explained that Baraka was known for the phrase "kill whitey," meaning black people had to kill the desire in themselves to be white.

Changing gears from racial tension to coming-of-age issues, Minnesota Moon describes the friendship between two men after high school in 1968 about to go their separate ways.

Director Jim Wise said students could easily relate to the characters because they face similar dilemmas. He added that he also felt a deep connection to the story.

"I received my draft papers five months after high school," Wise said. "I came back from Vietnam in 1968, and I came back to a very different country. This is a dedication to the kids who went with me to Vietnam who didn't come back."

Referring to the turbulent events of the 1960s, Wise described the year 1968 as a "metaphor for a rite of passage, when we [America] grew up."

The third play, The Dining Room, incorporates a string of scenes representing American life from the 1930s to modern day. Each scene takes place in the dining room, which can be considered the heart of the house, director Brant Pope said.

"The dining room is a metaphor for American life," Pope said. "It brings families together. It's where people grow, where lives are led."

The play's contemporary scene shows how times have changed, as today the dining room is the place for "sorting laundry."

Although the three different plays contain both poignant and provocative elements, Vernon said Series would prove to be an enjoyable experience.

"What we've all found surprising is that it all really feels relevant still," Vernon said.