After being a nerd himself more than 10 years ago, one area actor has finally come out of his shell and emerged as a director.

Ames Community Theater will present “The Nerd,” a comedy by Larry Shue. The play is about Willem, a young architect who is reunited with Rick, a man who saved his life in Vietnam. When Rick appears on Willem’s doorstep the night of Willem’s 34th birthday party, he feels obligated to allow Rick to stay with him. Things go awry when Rick’s quirky personality clashes with straight-shooter Willem — making Rick an unwelcome house guest.

Director Marty Ellenberger played the part of “the nerd” in a production of the play at the Maintenance Shop more than a decade ago. He says he remembers it as a great experience, but now he is helping someone else become Rick.

Ellenberger says he chose to stage “The Nerd” because of the story’s great humor.

“I think people will bust a gut, because if they are paying attention, they will,” Ellenberger says.

Ellenberger says he enjoys the challenges of directing a play, although he prefers to act. Directing has allowed him to discipline himself to another area of theater.

“I have high standards for what I want to see done, and I have to get that from all the people,” Ellenberger says.

Ellenberger says there is no overlying theme to the play, just a few laughs at “the nerd’s” expense. The main comedy of the play comes from Willem, played by Dan Heck, senior in computer science, in his attempts to remove Rick from his home.

“In order to get rid of the nerd, they have to out-nerd the nerd,” Ellenberger says.

Rick is played Nathaniel Pleasants, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences-open option. Pleasants says he chose to audition because he enjoyed working with ACTORS in the past.

“The idea of the nerd appealed to me, because I have some nerd qualities,” Pleasants says. “Well, I used to — but I’m cool now.”

Pleasants says Rick is the type of person who will tape over all your tapes and turn your life into chaos. Rick is unconscious as to how annoying he is, but Pleasants says he has good intentions.

“The level of nerdiness of Rick doesn’t exist very often in real life,” Pleasants says.

To get into character, Pleasants observed other people’s nerdy traits — including his own — as well as watched movies. There are lots of different types of nerds, Pleasants says, and his goal was to determine what made people nerdy.

Balancing school and rehearsal has been difficult for Pleasants, but he says playing Rick is rewarding at the end of a long day.

“Playing a character with no social senses seems to soothe and relieve the tension from everyday stress,” Pleasants says.

What: “The Nerd”

Where: ACTORS Studio,120 Abraham Dr.

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday2 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $11 students,$12 public