By Rema Atiya/reporter

The cast of only two is getting ready for the curtain to rise in the SE Campus theater production of Collected Stories, which director Pert Durapau described as a “thought-provoking, engaging and masterful play.”

Scheduled to run Oct. 8-10, the drama revolves around two women of different backgrounds, morals and ages. As they collide into each other’s lives, the hard-working, older Ruth takes on Lisa, a young student-turned-confidante.

Lisa turns her back on Ruth for an eventful, yet interesting clash of age and emotions between two successful women.

This play is mostly for mature audiences and not meant for children because of the mature language and script matter, said Durapau, SE fine arts and speech department chair.

“Upon reading the play for the first time, I was struck by the utter beauty of the script itself. It is an artistic masterpiece with compelling characters. That combination made it immediately attractive to me,” she said.

“I knew I would direct it some day. I just didn’t realize I would get the opportunity to do so quite this soon.”

This was not the first performance for either of the actresses in this production. However, it was “the biggest challenge,” said Veronica Almordovar, who plays Ruth Steiner.

Almordovar said the play needed a lot of effort from the actresses in the production because there are only two of them in the entire show.

“I have never been in a play that only had two cast members in it,” said Courtney Morris, who plays Lisa.

“It is more of a challenge because there is no room to mess up while on stage.”

Though the play is full of drama and emotion, Almordovar said it was not hard for her to adjust to the emotional side of the play.

“I have played in emotional performances before and love playing characters that feel so much emotion and have dramatic parts,” she said.

Playing Lisa, the young, talented character, was a challenge, yet the similarities between them made it easier, Morris said. When she was into her character, she said it was almost like rhythm for the emotions to come out.

“It comes natural,” she said. “I would really feel sad if my character was sad, and it just flows smoothly when you’re into it.”

Durapau said her actors met the challenge.

“In my opinion, this play is an exciting challenge for anyone playing the parts of the two beautifully crafted and complex characters in it,” she said. “I believe the two actresses in our production are incredibly insightful and talented young women who are working tirelessly with great commitment to achieve fine performances.”

Durapau said the challenges were not easy, but nothing truly worthwhile is usually easy.

Collected Stories performances begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 8-10 with 2 p.m. matinees Oct. 9 and 10 in the Roberson Theatre on SE Campus.

Tickets are free for TCC students, faculty and staff with ID, $6 for general admission and $3 for seniors and other students.

For information, call the box office at 817-515-3599.