Student-written one act play 'Sisterhood' explores friendships

This is the third in a series of stories this week showcasing the student playwrights featured in LAB! Theatre’s “One Acts in the Park,” which begins Saturday at Forest Theatre.

UNC sophomore Bailey Jones didn’t write a play to empower the world or send a message — she wrote it as a personal challenge.

Her first play, “Sisterhood,” will be performed as part of LAB! Theatre’s “One Acts in the Park.”

“Really, it was just that a lot of undergrads write plays, and I wanted to see what I could do with it,” Jones said.

“Sisterhood” explores the relationship between Sarah and Katie, and its evolution over the course of their lives.

The two characters are best friends, and the play begins when they are nine years old. It follows the characters through their high school years and their twenties.

Jones said that to write the play, she took elements from her own friendships. It begins in the two girls’ youth and revisits them in future settings.

“As the girls get older, their relationships with boys and parents, and their expectations of what they want out of life change, which shapes their friendship,” Jones said.

After LAB! provided Jones’ play with a director, she let go of the reins.

“It’s tempting to try to keep creative control over every little detail when you have created something,” she said. “It’s helpful in its growth to let someone else take over and see what they can do.”

The play’s director, sophomore Dane Keil, said he has appreciated the experience of making his directorial debut with Jones’ play.

He said that although Jones has given him the freedom to do what he wants with the play, he’s stayed true to the script.

“I like Bailey’s writing and I like this kind of story,” he said. “It has a pretty clear dichotomy between the characters — one is what the other isn’t.”

Tori Male, who plays the role of Sarah, said Jones’ voice is palpable in “Sisterhood.”

“Bailey is a very witty, deadpan, sarcastic person,” Male said. “You can see her personality reflected in the play.”

Male, who directed a play for last year’s festival, said she can relate to the play’s theme.

“There is an undercurrent of competing lifestyles — the girls want to get married and settle down but also want a career,” she said.

Keil said the story showcases interesting characters.

“It shows a closed-in person who kind of flowers at the end to the detriment of other people,” Keil said.

“I don’t want to spoil it.”

Contact the Arts Editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.