Those seeking something different from big-budget summer movies or wandering aimlessly in the mall this weekend are in luck: There’s a unique new form of entertainment being performed by ISU students.

The Theatre of Mass Destruction, a registered student organization at Iowa State, is having its first performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Maintenance Shop in the Memorial Union.

“We decided to have it at the Maintenance Shop because it’s an interesting space to present things, and it’s right on campus . . . so it’s easy to find,” says Megan Helmers, publicity director and actress in the theatre productions. “The audience surrounds the stage, making the production more interesting for its viewers.”

Helmers says Iowa State previously had no theater outlet for the students here during the summer, further limiting the already low amount of fresh entertainment in Ames.

Despite being a student organization, the performances are self-funded by the performers themselves.

“We didn’t get a chance to apply for funding from the Government of the Student Body,” Helmers says.

Helmers is looking forward to continuing on with performances in the fall. “This is something that will definitely be around for a while,” she says.

The performances consist of five pieces that are ten minutes long and one piece is forty-five minutes long. Three of the plays are written by the students.

“I got involved because a couple of students and I were going to be around Ames this summer and wanted something to do,” says music professor Robin Stone, the Theatre of Mass Destruction’s faculty adviser.

“The good thing about the project is it gives an opportunity to explore things the students wouldn’t be able to explore otherwise, such as playwriting,” Stone says.

“This will give the students involved a chance to improve themselves as directors, actors and writers,” Stone says.

Anyone who is a student or affiliated with the university can get involved with the organization.

“I hope there will be more opportunities for performances,” Stone says. “It’s really up to the students and what they want to do.”

Melanie Snow, president of the Theatre of Mass Destruction, says there is an opportunity for a fall production. “A group of us want to do a show in the fall who aren’t in other productions,” Snow says.

Snow says the production going on right now is just like any other production that happens during the school year.

“People think summer productions are laid back, but there’s a lot of hard work that people have been putting into this production,” she says.

Some of the plays performed are “Fool Love” by Sam Sheperd and “The Role of Della” by John J. Wooten.

“The Door” by Mikkel Grant, “The Game” by Nicholas Michaels and “The Office of Social Understanding” by Ryan Walrod, are the student-written productions that will be performed.

The last play, “Colors,” is written by Stone.

“We have a variety of entertainment to provide for the public,” Helmers says. “We hope for a good turnout.”

The cost of the show is five dollars. The event is approximately two hours in length.