Nine short plays about love and loss

The pandemic prevented the staging of a student play last year in Shelton High School's Performing Arts Center.

But after class these days, the theater is abuzz with students adjusting lights, moving props and preparing to launch into rehearsals for the romantic comedy "Almost, Maine," which debuts at 7 p.m. Friday.

"Project!" acting teacher and director Wendy Burr calls to the 17 masked actors on stage warming up their voices. "To be or not to be!"

"To be or not to be!!" they bellow back.

"Luke, I am your father!"

"Luke, I am your father!!"

"Almost, Maine" is staged at 7 p.m. Friday, and 2:30...