“Things could always get better.”

At least that’s what Harvey Doe and his wife, Edna, tell a group of extraterrestrial educators in defense of the human race in Rich Orloff’s “The Whole Shebang,” the featured play in a night of one-acts, dubbed “Minimum Rage,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Fort Scott Community College.

The program consists of five short plays to be performed in workshop style by the students in the FSCC theater department. There is no charge for admission, and some of the plays contain strong adult language.

“This is an actors’ showcase,” said Allen Twitchell, FSCC theater instructor. “By design, the sets and costumes are minimal in nature. I just wanted to provide the students an opportunity to perform on stage this semester before our big show in the spring.”

“Minimum Rage” also features guest director Tony Wagner and student directors Jackie Neher and Jared Oshel.

The plays are:

“Roommate Roulette,” by Twitchell, directed by Twitchell, with a cast of Erin Deatsch, Payton Boswell, Katelynn Coe, Ashley Lockwood and Ka’Si Gates.

“In the Meantime,” by Sharon Cooper, directed by Neher, with a cast of Sammy Jamison and Paulette Hays.

“Selling Johnny Depp,” by Alex Broun, directed by Twitchell, with a cast of Savannah Kratzberg, Connor Masters and Jared Oshel.

“Gas Mart Amendment,” by Nick Zagone, directed by Oshel, with a cast of Royce White and Baylee Whitmore.

And, “The Whole Shebang,” directed by Wagner, with a cast of Jesse Cooke, Connor Masters, Ashley Lockwood, Kartis Leal, Sammy Jamison and Jackie Neher.

Abby Cooke is assisting with the production.