Lauren Lynch caught some shut-eye on her car ride back to State College this past weekend because she knew hell week for No Refund Theatre's Rumors would be leaving her a bit sleep-deprived.

"The week before break we were rehearsing until 1 in the morning," Lynch (freshman-communications) said. "But I have a feeling this week's rehearsals are going to go on forever."

While late-night rehearsals are almost a requisite in theater, NRT did something out of the ordinary to prepare for its newest production -- added an extra "tech-week."

A tech-week, usually the week before a performance, encompasses the entire cast and crew in a rehearsal every night in preparation.

Director Bridgid Zvirblis said a two week tech period was necessary for this play because the cast not only had to learn cues, costumes and lighting, but they also had to build the two story set.

The two weeks were essential for the actors to learn the proper staging once the entire set for the show was built.

"We wanted to figure out all the logistics," she said.

Zvirblis (senior-communication sciences and disorders) referred to the play as a "complete comedy" about a couple who invites four other couples over to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. When the first couple arrives they find the host, Charley, upstairs with a bullet wound in his ear. The play follows a series of rumors and extravagant lies that are concocted to keep the other couples from knowing about the incident.

"There is no mystery," Zvirblis said, "just ridiculousness."

Stu Ruston said the set wasn't the only challenge in this play.

With one NRT show under his belt, he said one of the more difficult things to get used to is the comedic timing, which is a main ingredient in this over-the-top farce.

Ruston (sophomore-film) plays Ken, the husband in the first couple who discovers Charley. He said it's been difficult starting off in the play because being funny has a lot to do with "hitting the line."

"Learning lines and getting staging down has been important because everything has to move like clock-work," he said, referring to the two "hell weeks" the group has participated in for preparation.

Lynch said although the script itself is humorous, that isn't always enough to make the whole production work.

"Nothing is really funny unless you put a lot into it," she said. "The actors make it funny."

Zvirblis said one of the reasons she is so excited about directing the show is the amount of underclassmen who make up the cast.

"It gives NRT a good look at what they have to look forward to in the coming years."

Lynch agrees that having a cast full of fresh faces is a positive, adding everyone has strengths.

"The hardest thing for me is keeping a straight face," she said. "I laugh at everything."