Sex Talk and Swearing (four plays by Matt Herman) 

“The Angel and Edgar Allan Poe” is about a husband, Roger, professor of literature, who suffers from depression. After 3 weeks, Roger stopped taking his anti-depressant pills. Roger’s wife, Violet, a physicist and physician, goes back in time to meet Edgar Allan Poe, and gives the anti-depressants pills him. Her husband is surprised to find that Poe’s writings have changed. 

“The Alien Spoke English” After 30 years in space, the Starship Titanic arrives at the planet Garton. Captain Morgan is surprised to find that one of the inhabitants, Trig, speaks English. (Unfortunately, Trig learned some of his English for porno movies). One member of the crew, Lieutenant Charlene Jones, is assigned to go to the planet for 10 days of quarantine. She is joined by Trig.

 “The Day Sophocles Died” is a humorous play (no, really). It is about two dramatists of ancient Greece. Aeschylus, the old guy, and Sophocles the young guy. Teiresias, the famous clairvoyant from Ancient Greek mythology has a dream that the greatest dramatist of ancient Greece will die this day. 

 “The Telltale Sock.” Some men, desperate to experience the feeling of intercourse, might experiment with all types of household items to mimic that feeling. Unfortunately, for Bill, his paraphernalia has come to life, and used his phone to contact his girlfriend, Michelle. 

Virtual Theater Lab Announces Ensemble for Four Comedy Shorts Opening in Mesa

MESA, AZ – Virtual Theater Lab (VTL) is proud to introduce the professional ensemble for their upcoming live production: a collection of four original short comedy plays. Opening February 27th at the Main Street Creative Arts Center, this production marks a significant expansion for the company as it continues its virtual work while establishing a permanent presence on the live stage.

The 2026 Live Ensemble features Nick Gearing, Vaughan Grey, Mary Timpany, Kristina Daniele, Talia Jones, Paige Westfall, Andrew Daniele, and VTL Artistic Director Erin Buvala-Benites.

In a departure from traditional rigid staging, this production relies on the raw instincts of the ensemble. While the scripts remain constant, the blocking is driven by the actors' choices in the moment, ensuring that no two performances are precisely the same. "The cool thing about this production is the trust we place in the actors' instincts," says Director and ensemble member Erin Buvala-Benites. "We are inviting the audience to witness a living, breathing piece of theater where the energy and movement are unique to each specific performance."

The production features original scripts by playwright Matthew Herman.

Performance Dates: Feb 27 (7 PM), Feb 28 (7 PM), Mar 1 (2 PM).

Venue: MSCAC, 933 E Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85203.

Virtual Theater Lab (VTL) was born in 2020 during the global pandemic as a sanctuary for artists to keep their craft sharp and their minds resilient. What began as a way to bridge the gap during quarantine quickly evolved into a mission to dismantle the barriers of marginalization within the performing arts.

We recognized that the digital stage offered a unique accessibility that the traditional theater world often lacked. VTL became a home for those previously excluded by disability, financial constraints, health issues, or geographic location. Today, our goal is to amplify the voices of the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Disabled communities, as well as people of size, artists over 40, and any creator whose story has been sidelined.

As we transition into a fully realized live performance company, we remain rooted in our foundation. By blending live stage productions with our virtual roots—including streaming, workshops, and global script readings—we ensure that theater remains accessible to everyone. We look forward to a future where the healing power of performing arts and self-expression belongs to all.