Lakeport >> Lake County Theatre Company’s (LCTC) production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” has two directors. The first is Nani Phillips, a LCTC veteran. Then there’s Chris Griffith, a 17-year-old Clear Lake High School student who’s directing the play as his senior project.

Griffith came up with the idea his sophomore year after spending some time in the world of high school theater. While he’d previously directed a one act with LCTC, he’d never experienced directing a full-length production. He decided now was the chance to challenge himself. “I already had the experience in theater so it seemed like the closest thing to home,” Griffith said.

Last year he approached LCTC and asked if they would help him make his full-length directorial debut. In stepped Phillips. “Arsenic and Old Lace” was the first ever play she’d ever acted in during high school and she was dying to get a chance to be involved again. “I love the show and I was familiar with it,” she said. “I had been wanting to direct it pretty much ever since I was first in it.”

The direction of the show has been a team effort. Phillips coordinated the costumes and make up and oversees the whole production, checking that the set looks right and dolling out occasional tips. But when it comes to giving stage directions and working with the actors, she lets Griffith take the reins. “He’s doing a fabulous job,” Phillips said.

Directing a play has been a learning experience for Griffith, one he describes as “stressful.” Acting as director includes much more than telling actors where to stand or how to deliver a line. It’s about seeing the big picture of the entire show, from costumes to props to lighting. “That’s something he’s had to adapt to and learn,” Phillips said. “He’s doing a lot better than most other high school kids his age would be.”

One of the most difficult aspects of directing, for Griffith anyway, has been acting as disciplinary when he needs to keep the actors — many of whom he attends high school with — in line. “It’s a little bit more of a hassle than I thought it would be,” he said. “It definitely wasn’t easy.”

“Arsenic and Old Lace” is a comedy perfect for the Halloween season. It’s about three old, lovable ladies who harbor a dark secret: they kill sad, lonely old men by way of arsenic poisoning and bury them in their cellar. They have three nephews. One’s a little kooky and believes he’s Teddy Roosevelt. Another reveals his own murderous streak when he shows up at his aunt’s with a body to hide. The last is straight-laced, engaged to a minister’s daughter, but chaos ensues when he discovers a body in the cellar. The show is a whole lot of fun.

Though Griffith didn’t see the movie version of the play until last year, it was always on his radar, since his dad is a huge fan of the film. He decided he wanted to direct either “Arsenic and Old Lace” or “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead”, but he felt the last was just a little bit too eclectic. It’s clear Griffith isn’t afraid to stray from the norm.

He’s just one of many younger talents involved in the production, which features a cast of all high school aged actors. Griffith wanted to give teenagers in the community a chance to obtain large parts in something other than a musical. Many members of the cast have been acting for years, but there are a few newbies as well.

Phillips has experience directing adults and teens, and while it’s difficult to compare young actors to older ones, she’s thoroughly enjoyed the experience of directing “Arsenic and Old Lace”. For one, teenage actors seem to experience a greater amount of growth than more seasoned performers, just by virtue of their youth. “These guys, they’re very eager to learn and want to take direction,” she said. “It’s really exciting to think about how much they’re going to keep growing and get better. It’s been a pleasure to work with them for sure.”

But don’t let the actors’ — or Griffith’s — ages fool you. This play isn’t the typical high school production, Phillips said. Of the many shows LCTC has put on this year, she counts it as one of their best, and that includes the acting, costumes, lighting and set design. “These kids have put in a lot of hard hours and a lot of hard work and these kids are extremely entertaining,” she explained. “I am extremely proud of this show.”

Three shows of “Arsenic and Old Lace” go on this weekend at the M.A.C. Auditorium at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport. There are two shows today at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tomorrow the final show will go on at 2 p.m. General tickets are $12 and reserved tickets are $15. Pre-sale tickets are available at Pieces Boutique in Lakeport and online at lakecountytheatrecompany.org.

Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.