The Menomonie Theater Guild will put on Divergence on July 30 & 31. The show consists of two one-acts, The Zoo Story (Josh Salt & Shane Leonard) and The Coming World (Taylor Johnson & Annie Jo Kjar). Photo by Leah Dunbar.

In an effort to support local talent, and to help the Menomonie Theater Guild raise scholarship money, a contemporary drama presentation, Divergence, will be preformed at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts.

    Divergence consists of two separate one-act plays performed by Menomonie locals Josh Salt, Taylor Johnson, Shane Leonard and Columbia College student Annie Jo Kjar.

    One of the plays, entitled The Coming World and written by Christopher Shinn, urges the audience to think independently, to truly listen. It is ultimately about exploration and the true definition of one’s self. The other performance, entitled The Zoo Story and written by Edward Albee, is another piece that requires the audience to pay attention to detail and dialogue. It is a social commentary presenting two men from seemingly opposite backgrounds who realize they have more in common than they originally thought – posing a lot of difficult questions and encouraging the audience to think independently.

    The production is made up of a truly tight-knit crew. Salt’s mother, Ann, will direct both plays, while his sister, Emily, will assist. Salt and Johnson, now both undergraduate theater students, are longtime friends, and were high school theater students of Leonard’s.

    There will be a talkback session at the end of each show in the public room of the Mabel Tainter. Art, inspired by the show, will be on display and available for sale as well. All proceeds will go toward performing arts scholarships supplied by the Menomonie Theater Guild.

Divergence • July 30 & 31 • Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, Menomonie • 7pm • Before July 24: $8 all ages; After July 24: $10 adults, $8 seniors/students • 235-0001 • www.mabeltainter.com