CSU East Bay’s Highlands Summer Theatre’s “Secrets EXposed” debuted August 4, offering audiences an opportunity to experience personal and emotional pieces about the secrets that haunt us and the secrets we long to expose.

The roughly one-hour show presents 12 short, dramatic monologues and dialogues, of which most are written and performed by the original writer.

Each short piece exposed the writer’s secrets through dance, soliloquy in different languages, crowd participation or performance—each a refreshingly different take on universal elements of love, pain, family and the many troubling facets of life.

As artists performed their own writing, it was quite evident that each piece held personal significance or truth for them.

The remarkably good performances of the actors suggests that the authenticity in their performances came from a place deep within, thus the audience couldn’t help but impart respect for the individuals who were so vulnerable and shared secrets they have long maintained and kept hidden.

The most enjoyable aspect of “Secrets EXposed” was the ability to view a diverse group of actors and writers—each with their different style and flair—which, in contrast to Highlands previous shows, gives audiences a chance to leave the show feeling satisfied with at least something they found appealing.

Accordingly, “Secrets EXposed” was an enjoyable performance of passionate and creative writers and actors who expose themselves to be critiqued but yet relieved to be rid of their secret.

As one of the most anticipated acts, “Exoneration,” a short play by CSU East Bay professor Stephen Gutierrez, was one of the best pieces of the show.

“Exoneration” was performed by actors Theadore Gould and Joe Mason, as they maintained chemistry and intensity throughout the stark and enthralling act.

Intriguing and captivating, “Exoneration” explores a lifestyle dictated by poverty and embodying that persona with themes of race, class and crime, all through a balanced combination of humor and zealous dialogue.

“Exoneration” was stimulating from beginning to end, as Gutierrez skillfully wrote it to keep viewers captivated by the troubling story and witty banter between Gould and Mason.

One of the most surprising and delightful performances was Teresita Brown’s performance of “The Word of Oprah,” written by Christina Ying.

The piece explored madness and crime, as well as a fanatical obsession with a woman so many people revere and look to for guidance in their daily lives.

Brown gave an outstanding performance as she perfectly embodied a maniac with an intense enactment that kept the viewer hanging on her every word.

It is not easy to play a fanatical person without looking over-the-top or tacky, but Brown was thoroughly convincing and Ying’s strong story telling provided her with a variety of qualities and components to the story.

“Wonderland,” “Young and Stupid” and “Qasim” were all very well-performed and written pieces, each one a heart-rendering topic that the actors performed with ardent ability.

While pieces like “Drunk Dialing” and “Breaking Secrets” had the least attractiveness and interest, they were still engaging to the audience who could relate to the topics in some way or another.

“Secrets EXposed” is an appealing play for those who appreciate honesty and candidness in performances as each piece, regardless of its skill or level of artistry, presented substance in each word or movement recited.

Remaining performances for “Secrets EXposed” will be in the Studio Theatre August 12 and 13.