La Salle’s second original works One-Act Festival is being held tomorrow night, Jan. 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the theater, and it will feature six one-act plays performed by students based on the scripts written and directed by the six winners of La Salle’s Scriptwriting Contest: Annie Hoang, Egan Arnston, Sabrina Scherzinger, Isadora Colpo, Joe Koppy, and Anna McClow.

“Roses” — written by Annie Hoang, performed by Gabi Fontenette and Alison Paguio

Hoang’s one-act deals with the topics of mental health and suicide. Hoang is a firm believer that stories surrounding mental health issues should be handled honestly but in a way that inspires hope.

The one word Hoang used to describe her script was “courage.” When she first began directing, she was nervous, however, as she grew into the role of a director she found she loved it. “The process has taught me that it isn’t wrong to push for my ideas to come to light,” Hoang said.

Scriptwriting isn’t Hoang’s only writing ambition; she also has a particular interest in filmmaking because “it’s an intersection of a lot of different kinds of art, combining visual, music, and writing to tell a story,” she said. Hoang aspires to complete some of the short film projects she has planned. Her ultimate dream is to write and direct a film produced by A24, an entertainment company based in New York City.

“Eclipse” — written by Egan Arnston, performed by Dakota Canzano and Peyton Jefferis

Arnston’s script tells the story of two characters, Sol and Luna, who represent the sun and the moon, but the two switch places and everything changes. The one-act was inspired by Pixar’s short films, and Arnston loves the way they are told.

The one word he chose to describe his one-act was “existing.” The directing process has been “amazing” for him, and he loves the way the actors have helped to develop the show. One day he hopes to write a full show and direct it with friends.

“Keep me on the Phone” — written by Sabrina Scherzinger, performed by Cameron Thornburg and Tarn Bregman

Scherzinger’s one-act chronicles the story of two friends who are on the phone because they miss each other’s company. The two friends reminisce, and Scherzinger hopes to capture the idea that friendships don’t just disappear.

The one word she used to describe her play was “emotional,” and when asked if she had other writing aspirations she said, “[That’s] like asking a soccer player if they plan on playing soccer.” This was her first time writing a play, as her writing usually takes the form of books and short stories. She plans to continue writing with the dream of one day publishing a book.

“The Princess and the Panic” — written by Isadora Colpo, performed by Brooklyn Chillemi, Brook Wycoff, Alison Paguio

Colpo’s script tells the story of a princess reacting a bit too personally to friends who can’t spend time with her, and it was inspired by struggles with social anxiety and self-isolation. The one word Colpo used to describe her script is “realization” because the one-act centers around the princess’s realization that “she’s worth the love her friends give her, and her friends realizing that sometimes they have to love her a little more loudly,” Colpo said.

At first the directing process was nerve-wracking for Colpo, but she grew into the role, focusing on the balance between the actors, while also encouraging her actors to put “a bit of themselves” in it with hopes that “it would end up as a show that wouldn’t be the same if anyone else was acting in it.”

“7 Months” — written by Joe Koppy, performed by Alvina Hsiao, Andrew Harder, Aaron Leonard-Graham, and Danny Nguyen

Koppy’s one-act tells the story of a young man, Tom, who has been struggling with the death of a friend, Sam, for the last seven months; he can’t keep him out of his head and is trying in vain to move on. The one word Koppy used to describe his one-act was “hope.”

This is Koppy’s first time directing, and he has enjoyed the control and freedom directing has given him. He has acted numerous times throughout his high school career, and he plans to keep acting. In addition, Koppy hopes to keep writing if opportunities like this arise again.

“Mind Control” — written by Anna McClow, performed by Bella Chalmers, Sebastian Gang, Isa Sale, and Andrew Harder

McClow’s script is about a girl wrestling over a tough decision with the aid of her emotions, which take her on a journey in an attempt to help her make the best decision possible. Her one-act was inspired by a YouTube concept called Sander Sides, which was popularized by the YouTube personality Thomas Sanders.

The one word she used to describe her one-act was “complex.” McClow said that she has lots of ideas for one-acts but doesn’t always have the time to write them; this scriptwriting contest gave her the opportunity to elaborate on one of her many visions.