The ULM acting class will be doing two nights of comic sketches called “An Evening with Shel Silverstein” this Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Spyker Theatre. The comic sketches were written by the late poet and playwright Shel Silverstein.

“An Evening with Shel Silverstein” will be a chance to see some of your fellow students put their acting and directing skills to work.

The sketches are being directed and performed by students.

While Silverstein is very well-known for his children’s literature, these sketches are more geared towards adults.

“They are definitely written for adults and will remind students of humor they may see on Family Guy or Adult Swim,” said Kyle Zimmerman, assistant professor of acting and directing.

Directing presents many challenges, but student director, John Price, said the greatest obstacle for him was trying to put his own spin on his scene.

“This experience has taught me not to take anything for granted as an actor or director. It takes a lot of people to put together a successful show,” said Price.

Price is the student director for the sketch “Gone to Take a….”

Even though the directors aren’t doing any acting, they still have to put in a lot of time and work.

Price said that they rehearse anywhere from 4-5 hours weekly.

Silverstein wrote books, plays, songs and poetry. He is often most remembered though, for his children’s literature.

“The Giving Tree” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends” are two of his most famous works of literature.

He also wrote for adult audiences as well.

The song “A Boy Named Sue,” which was made wildly popular by singer Johnny Cash, was actually written by Silverstein.

How will students react to the adult humor written by a man they most likely knew from reading his children’s books as a kid?

“The will love it,” said Justin Hawn, a senior musical theater major who plans on attending the show. “In the age of Family Guy, students are conditioned to that sort of thing.”

Admission is free for everyone and seats will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information contact Kyle Zimmerman at 318-342-7867.