“Why would I kill someone I just met an hour ago?” is the kind of question that will be asked in Temple’s Town Hall soon when the Temple Drama Club performs two one-act plays. 

The amateur theater group has been entertaining audiences in the region for over 50 years,  and will be offering “Murder by the Book” by Jon Jory and Michael Bauer and Claire Epstein’s “Home Shopping Studios Live!”  May 16 and 17 at Temple Town Hall. 

Jory’s and Bauer’s story focuses on the death of a mystery writer and a detective with anger issues who, from a cast of eccentric suspects, must figure out who committed the murder. Epstein’s tale looks at a shopping channel whose last producer was fired, and who has plotted his revenge. The one-acts are directed by Steven Cullinan, who in addition to leading the town’s thespians, has also served as Temple’s town moderator and has been with the drama club for 40 years. 

“Most of our actors joined the club after being dragged to a meeting by a member and being assigned a part before they had a chance to say no,” Cullinan said.

On a recent evening of rehearsals, he watched the players run through their lines, occasionally letting someone know that he or she was standing too near a curtain to be seen by the audience. He nodded approvingly when someone on stage asked, “Is it not true that you planted a bomb in my Lexus?”

Although performances traditionally occur on the third weekend in May, players begin gathering in January to pool thoughts on casting and do read-throughs. As director, Cullinan selects the plays, and the rehearsal has a light air to it; there are no exasperated reactions to forgotten lines or missed cues, and Cullinan never forgets how well the actors and guests understand where they all live.

“The audience enjoys local jokes and musical numbers featuring the fabulous drama queens,” he said. 

Temple Drama Club was founded in 1970 by Millicent Dumaine, who also directed performances. A guiding principle of the troupe is stated as follows: “Though we take the material seriously, we try not to take ourselves seriously.” 

“A favorite part of the annual shows is original content from our members,” said Cullinan, adding that the group has always enjoyed strong support from the town. The space given over many evenings to Select Board and ZBA meetings is afforded to the club on other weeknights for rehearsals which become more frequent as May approaches. There is also a philanthropic dimension to the productions.

“All proceeds after expenses are donated to local causes via a vote by the membership,” said Cullinan. According to a posting online, the club has distributed over $6,000 in the area since 1992.

There is also a distinct “public servant” angle to the production this year. Will Wildes, who plays a devout Shakespearean in “Murder by the Book,” is also Temple’s Building Inspector. He has been taking to the stage in town for 40 years, but not for a Tony Award.

“For the fun of it!” he explained. “The excitement, and the fear!”

Jen Rheaume plays an impatient detective in the same production with the name of Jayne Payne. She is also the town’s animal control officer, and her brother Steve Harling handles lighting for the show. 

Players and members of the crew come from a number of surrounding towns, and the club is always willing to welcome new actors and backstage help. A recent rehearsal that began at 6:30 was stretching until after 9 p.m., but all on stage seemed in good cheer, even when the odd line needed to be prompted by an off-stage reader. With subplots such as fake IDs being sold on a Home Shopping Network and lines like “Moldova has a birth canal celebration,” things remained buoyant as the players worked through their scenes. 

“Home Shopping Studios Live!” and “Murder by the Book” will be performed Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, at 8 p.m. at Temple Town Hall, 19 Main St., Temple. Suggested donation is $5, with refreshments provided at intermission also by donation.