Steamboat Springs — Eight plays, one night and copious amounts of laugher: In the brief span of two hours, the Chief Players will present just that in “An Evening of One Acts.”

“Some are straightforward, funny, quirky and even strange,” said Brad Kindred, a local actor in this weekend’s production. “I think the people who will come to this will be stretched — they are going to see a wide variety of things that are so diverse; it’s not a thematic production.”

For the first time at the Chief Theater, “An Evening of One Acts” will have its opening at 7 p.m. Friday, and there will be another showing at 7 p.m. Saturday, as well.

As plots thicken and cruxes are punctuated with dramatic or comedic cues, 15 actors from the Chief Players, Cabaret, Steamboat Springs High School and the Super Fun Steamboat Show will bring to life a variety of uncanny characters for each of the eight productions, directed by five local directors.

“This s a compilation of many different genres,” said Michael Staley, program coordinator and one of the directors. “Almost everything is a comedy, but some hit you in different parts of the stomach than others. But it’s good to stretch the boundaries of humor beyond what you may find on late-night T.V.”

The productions selected came from a list of more than 100 short plays, including “That’s the Way the Cookie Crumples,” by Anonymous, “The Role of Della,” by John Wooten, “What She Found There,” by John Glore, “My Name is Mildred,” by Spranger Barry, “Naomi in the Living Room,” by Christopher Durang, “Life Under Water,” by Richard Greenberg, “The Problem,” by A.R. Gurney and “The Birthday Present,” by Charlie Schulman.

In contrast to a full-length theater production, one acts are quick, with transitions and role changes for the actors.

“With it being a one act, there is spontaneity that carries through to the performances,” said Robin David, local actor in two of the one acts.

“These little one acts are diverse and more silly,” added Jeanne Weintraub, another local actor featured in the productions. “There are not many players on stage, so you can really work with your co-actors in order to develop something between the two of you, as opposed to a larger group.”

According to Scott Parker, executive director of the Chief Theater, “An Evening of One Acts” hasn’t been performed in more than 10 years. However, the Chief Players theater group hopes to continue the tradition of “An Evening of One Acts,” which was a production the former Steamboat Community Players theater group had done for decades.

“It’s a popular thing theaters do,” Parker said. “So many great playwrights have these fantastic one-act plays in their repertoire, and it’s something we hope to do much more of.”

Due to some minor adult language and content, the show is intended for ages 18 and older. Tickets are $10 and are available online at chieftheater.com/events and at All That.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1