Senior theater arts majors Bailey Murphy and Abby Carter have been to auditions before, but Wednesday will be their first time attending as directors.

Two of the four productions put on by the theatre arts department this semester will be student-directed one act plays.

Murphy and Carter have been chosen to direct the one-acts this fall. Both have been involved with previous productions as actresses.

Murphy said she is excited about her new role.

She said she enjoys working with her peers and is excited to make something that will not be replicated by anyone, which for her is what theater is all about.

“I am most looking forward to being able to use my creativity in a completely different manner,” Murphy said. “To orchestrate something completely from start to finish is quite exhilarating.”

Before a student can apply to be a student director they must complete the theatre arts directing class and apply for the position.

Jean Wolski, theatre arts professor, said the student directors are chosen based on their applications, work in class and what the season schedule looks like.

Jerry Eisenhour is the coordinator for the one-acts and also teaches directing.

Murphy said she and Carter go to Eisenhour with problems or questions they have during production.

Murphy has chosen to direct “Murderest Mystery of Them All,” a murder mystery spoof written by Eastern graduate Garin Jones.

Carter will direct the thriller “Cast a Spell.”

The other two productions this fall will be faculty directed.

Wolski will direct the Shakespearian comedy, “As You Like It,” and John Oertling chair of the theater arts department, will direct Lee Blessing’s drama, “Eleemosynary.”

Auditions for all four productions will be 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Charleston/Mattoon Room in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, with audition registration at 6:30 p.m. in the Casey Room.

All those auditioning are asked to perform two different monologues, each no longer than one minute.

The department has an open audition policy and in the past, students as well as community members have tried out.

While the numbers vary year-to-year, Oertling said he would not be surprised to see more than 50 people audition this week.

“As You Like It” will have more than 25 openings, while “Eleemosynary” will have spots for three women and the one-acts will have spots for 10-12 people.