STEAMBOAT SPRINGS – By day they’re bankers, yoga instructors, teachers, property managers and bike mechanics.

By evening, they are actors, creating a sense of time, place and character from a script, and their work will be in the spotlight during the Chief Players’ annual production of “A Weekend of One Acts.”

“With a one-act play, you are drawn into the story immediately,” said Robin David, who is an actor, director and writer of the play, “Navigational Error.” “With shorter acts, there’s also a lot more variety than a typical theater production.”

Featuring nine different one-act plays, each averaging about 10 minutes long — ranging from absurd comedies to family dramedies to outright tearjerkers — actors will take the Chief Theater stage at 7 p.m. Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24 and again on Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31.

Each play has a different director with a cast of about 24 total actors.

“It’s accessible and a good introduction to what theater is all about,” said Sarah Laping Garland, who directs several of the one-acts. “This production is also a great way for new people to get involved or veterans to be involved without the time commitment of a full show.” 

New face to the Chief Players: Riley Johnston

“Making an audience laugh or cry or whatever it is you’re trying to make them feel is the best part of being an actor,” said Riley Johnston, actor in “Navigational Error.” “Any chance there is for me to do theatre, I’ll jump at it.”

Commuting from Craig to rehearsals at the Chief Theater is no small feat, according to Johnston.

“It is a big commitment, and it takes a lot, but this is my passion,” Johnston said. “I love performing, and I’ve been looking for an outlet like this for awhile.”

“I love this production because it’s so fun, it’s so silly,” Johnston added. “It’s a good release from everyday life, especially if I’ve had a rough work day.”

“A Weekend of One Acts” new productions

• “Navigational Error” – Written and directed by Robin David
• “Teeth” – Directed by Michael Staley
• “Downtown” – Directed by Avery Cavender
• “Mrs. Claus Gets Menopause” – Directed by Michael Staley
• “I Bring You Flowers” – Directed by Sarah Laping Garland and Chris Wadopian
• “Family 2.0” – Directed by Amanda Jennings.
• “Sure Thing” – Directed by Kirk Aigner
• “The Nancy” – Directed by Sarah Laping Garland.
• “We All Give Thanks” – Directed by Sarah Laping Garland

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or at All That, 601 Lincoln Ave. Some of the plays feature mature content, and performances are recommended for those 13 and older.

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