COMMERCE, Texas -- Eight original short plays will premiere Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14 and 15, in the Studio Theatre of the Performing Arts Center at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

The eight plays are written and performed by students participating in the Texas A&M University System Advanced Collaborative Theatre program.

Participants in the ACT project attend intensive seminars in
playwriting, directing, theatrical design, dramaturgy and logistics
in a three-week symposium. They also work with a group of children,
from age 8-16, and help them write and produce their own original
plays.

The plays are "Little Princess" and "Flip Flop" by Chasity Gibson, senior from Greenville; "A Game of Chance" by Gerald Taylor II, graduate student from Commerce; "Choices" and "The Family Way" by Donna Deverell, graduate from Yantis; "The Gift" by Maria
Carter-Evans, senior from Commerce, "Laundry Day" by Forest Attaway, senior from Gun Barrel City, and "Alone in the Dark" by Matthew Plummer, senior from Wills Point.

Other cast members are Jacob Layton, junior from Elsa, and Samantha Grace, a senior from Shreveport, La.

Past participants in ACT include professional actors, comedians, directors, playwrights, designers, and educators.

One alumnus, Guillermo "Billy" De Leon, of Austin, is part of a group of writers, who have been nominated for a day-time Emmy Award.

"The ACT is a great way for audiences to see the talent of the coming generation," De Leon said. "That new actor, director, or playwright whose work you see on the ACT stage might be on Broadway, or in Hollywood, the next time you see them."

Some of these plays contain strong language and adult situations. Parents are cautioned.

Show times are at 8 p.m. Aug. 14 and 15, with the doors opening at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free. Donations will be accepted.