Assassins with water guns, disgruntled housewives with revolvers, couples therapy with staple guns, and a whole lot of liquor. It’s either one dangerous party or a night at The City Arts Studio Theatre on Sept. 17, where The Greensboro Playwrights’ Forum presented “An Evening of Short Plays #21: We’re Legal!” “We knew it was our 21st evening of short plays so since we’re 21: guns and alcohol,” said Stephen Hyers, founder of the Playwrights’ Forum. “Only one person gets shot, but a lot of people get drunk.”

Conversations about acting, writing, and directing filled the air at the Greensboro Cultural Center. Many of those who came to the opening night of short plays were also involved in theater.

The performance started with a string of three dramatic plays, one of which was titled “Gone,” and was written by Victoria King, an active member of the Playwrights’ Forum and director of another play in the show, “Something New.”

“Gone” told the story of a disgruntled housewife, played by Trudy Davis, pushed by her husband’s temper and alcoholism to drastic action. Her husband, played by Chuck Powers, made the mistake of drunkenly yelling at her for going to the store. Davis pulled out a revolver, pointed it to his head and said, “I promise, it won’t happen again.” The lights cut as a gunshot was heard.

Though most of the plays dealt with serious issues, there were a few comedies to lift the mood.

“(The Playwrights’ Forum) set it up so that it balances as you get into them. It’s lighter and then it goes heavier and usually ends on something light,” said actress Claire King.

King played a mother dealing with an alcoholic son in “21.” While King’s play was one of the more serious plays, she voiced her preference for comedic acting in the short plays, saying, “This is the first time I’ve played a human being (in the event) .. I first played a St. Bernard and then a cockroach.”

The variety of roles in the plays provided an opportunity for actors to exercise their diverse talents.

“I had a marvelous cast. They just played off of each other so beautifully,” said Victoria King, the previously mentioned director of “Something New,” a sly comedy that received roaring laughter from the audience.

The night was made possible due to The Greensboro Playwrights’ Forum, a group that meets once a month to help local playwrights, like King, develop ideas and writing skills.

“I really like the opportunity to hear actors reading the roles aloud,” said Debra Kaufman, a playwright who regularly attends The Forum. “Until you actually get to hear them spoken aloud by people who get the writing, you’re not really sure if it’s working or not.”

The Playwrights’ Forum and the Evening of Short Plays act as the Greensboro acting and writing community.

“A lot of plays go from here to other venues,” said Hyers, “so we’re really excited about this being a jumping off place for a lot of plays that are being written.”

Although Guilford has a class for budding playwrights, there is not yet an organization like The Playwrights’ Forum.

“There isn’t a student-run group that regularly produces original plays,” said Professor of Theatre Studies David Hammond.

“I think it would be a great idea to have something like (The Playwrights’ Forum) because it would help further the student’s education and knowledge about play-writing, along with directing, along with all the other aspects,” said Kevin Smithey, theater studies major.

The Greensboro Playwrights’ Forum remains a resource for anybody in the Greenboro community, including students.