Have you ever tried to understand landlords or understand why women act the way they do? Audience members for the student directed One-Acts may just begin to get some answers.

The One-Acts performances, focused on women and landlords, are scheduled for tonight and Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Studio of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

The One-Acts are directed by seniors Liz Marfia and Jackaay Watt. Marfia adapted and directs “Unfinished Women: A Collection of Works By Lillian Hellman,” and Watt directs “Hold on Hortense,” said Jay Sain, business manager of university theater and Dennis Malak, assistant director of university theater.

“Unfinished Women” is comprised of excerpts from “Conversation With Lillian Hellman,” “An Unfinished Woman” and “Pentimento,” as well as cuttings from “The Children’s Hour” and “The Autumn Garden,” Malak said.

“The Children’s Hour” is one of Hellman’s greatest successes. The story is about two women who run a school for girls. A youngster starts an unfounded scandal about them, which instigates tragedy for the women. Later it is discovered that the gossip is invention, but by that time the damage has already been done,” Sain said.

“The Autumn Garden” is a Chekhovian treatment of a group of guests in a Southern heartbreak house. The guests suffer a common malaise, the disenchantment of knowing that at any given moment “you’re only the sum of your life up to then” comes as the guests discover they are unable to transplant themselves to a different life, Malak said.

The cast for “Unfinished Women” includes senior theater majors Nic Camfield, Deborah Donovan and Amanda Wells; junior English major Erin Johnson; sophomore theater majors Ryan Estes and Jessica Mahrt; and English education major Stephanie Ramuta.

“Hold on Hortense,” directed by Watt, includes an array of songs that tell the story about a couple waiting to be turned out of their apartment by a landlord, Malak said. During the course of the play the tenants have a little surprise for the landlord when he comes to get his money.

The cast for “Hold on Hortense” includes Jason Blackburn, senior theater major; Al Dertz, senior history major; Tim Yates, senior geology major; Raymond Keeler, junior English major; Luke Gerdes, freshman theater major; and Angel Kemplin, freshman English education major.

Tickets are now available at the theater box office for the performances. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and youth and $3.50 for students. Those who are interested can call 581-3110 for ticket information and reservations.