A program unique to Minot State University opens this weekend in the Black Box Theater in Hartnett Hall.

"Alpha Particles/Freshman 10" began several years ago as "The Freshman 10," an opportunity for incoming first-year students to perform in one-act plays early in the season, without the commitment to an intensive rehearsal schedule. The name expanded when the program changed to plays written and directed by members of Alpha Psi Omega, the theater fraternity on campus.

"Everyone who auditioned was cast," said Peg Morris, who co-organized the event with Ashley Nilsen.

Morris is also directing one of the shows, written by Christen Friddle. "The only requirement to direct is you have to have taken the directing class," she said.

Other directors are Jazmine Wolff, Adam McShane Henjum, Penny Lipsey and Nilsen. The authors are Noah Files, Alex Dhuyvetter, Christopher Stroschein and Jake Flaten.

Some of the freshmen actors are already familiar to Minot audiences. They include Heather Schneibel, Alex Cresap, Matt Dempsey, Jhondarr Lopez, Brett Olson, Brittany Armstrong, Kristin Samo, Heidy D. Gil, Daniel Johnson, Kevin White, Grant Johnson and Grey Wallstrum.

Topics cover quite a range. The evening opens with "Requiem for a Ninja" and concludes with the possibly prophetic "Whatever, Henry David," where Henry David is trying to get admitted into good author heaven.

Performances are today through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3.