For her senior directorial project, Sweet Briar College student Cat Ashley has chosen a monumental topic: the meaning of life.

Senior Cat Ashley will direct "A Night of Ives" on April 20 and 21.“My show is a collection of five one-act plays by the playwright David Ives,” the St. Albans, W.Va., resident said. “A majority of his work deals with existentialist themes surrounding the meaning of life, our value as people — individuals and collective — and the purpose of our life on Earth.”

Dubbed “A Night of Ives,” performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21 in the Babcock Studio Theater at Sweet Briar. The public is invited and admission is free.

The following plays are on the program:

“Degas, C’est Moi” — A man wakes up one morning and decides to be the French painter Edgar Degas. The play illustrates his daily activities and interactions with others as Degas.

“Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread” — Based on the work of composer Philip Glass, the one-act play tells the story of Glass as he runs into a former lover at a bakery.

“The Philadelphia” — Two friends discuss their existence in a parallel dimension, where you cannot get what you want and must ask for the opposite.

“Dr. Fritz, or the Forces of Light” — A tourist with food poisoning seeks medical help from a crazy souvenir seller named Maria, who channels a German surgeon named Dr. Fritz.

“Words, Words, Words” — Three captive monkeys pound away on typewriters, hoping that one will eventually type out “Hamlet.”

“I chose David Ives because of his humor, wit and way with words,” Ashley said. “I read ‘Time Flies’ in a survey of drama lit my freshman year and fell in love with his work. He really explores some complex issues but uses humor to convey his points.

“I love the idea of mixing comedy with complex ideas. It makes it easier for everyone to understand, which to me is the point of theater: Expand the knowledge of the audience on complex or thought-provoking issues while still making it possible for anyone of any educational background to understand.”

The director’s biggest challenge thus far has been scheduling rehearsals. “Sweet Briar girls are always so busy and committed to many different activities, and trying to find convenient times for everyone is definitely a challenge,” she said.

Ashley is double majoring in international affairs and theater. She is the daughter of David and Sandra Ashley of St. Albans and a 2003 graduate of St. Albans High School.

For more information on “A Night of Ives,” contact Ashley at ashley07@sbc.edu or 381-7454.

– By Suzanne Ramsey, SBC staff writer