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Email Story to a Friend February 18, 2006 Phoenix High School senior Tara Watkins wrote the play �Vending Machine� for her senior project. It shows this weekend. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven It’s showtime for student’s play Tickets, please Showtimes for "Vending Machine" are 7:30 tonight with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee at the Rose Street Theater at Phoenix High School, 745 N. Rose St., Phoenix. Tickets are $6 general admission and $3 for students and senior citizens. By JAMIE MILLER Mail Tribune PHOENIX — A Phoenix High School student wraps up six months of hard work with this weekend’s production of a play she wrote. "Vending Machine" is an original play written by PHS senior Tara Watkins, with some help from her younger sister, Taja. "As I was writing it I was hoping it would be published as a winter show," the 18-year-old said. Advertisement The sisters wanted to create characters you don’t normally see in plays. One character is deathly afraid of flyswatters and there’s a crazy actress who has lost touch with reality by believing her life is a play. In this farce, Johnny is a con man who tries to peddle out-of-date vending machines to Eliza, a doctor, and a group of mental hospital residents. Everything goes horribly wrong for him. Watkins began writing the script of "Vending Machine" as her senior project, using her love of theater as inspiration. The cast and crew had to deal with problems that arise from the curse of a "very, very low budget." For instance, the stage is flat, so large furniture in the front blocks things in back. "I think staging was one of the most challenging things to accomplish in the play," she said. Watkins has dreamed of being an actress since she was 2 years old. She has acted in several high school plays. She will attend Southern Oregon University in the fall, with plans to study theater arts. She won’t know her grade on the project until May, she said. "Vending Machine" will be performed by a cast of 10 Phoenix High School students. Watkins’ sister will play the role of Lorna, one of the patients at the mental institution. Watkins herself will appear in a cameo role at the end of the play. Reach reporting intern Jamie Miller at 776-4465 or e-mail It�s showtime for student�s play ">[email protected] .Mail Tribune reporter Chris Conrad contributed to this report. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s