Four women in a waiting room are scheduled for mammograms when the equipment breaks down.

Now what?

Playwright Mary Miller turned that premise into "Next," a one-act play that she wrote for theater and became popular on the health education circuit. Next Thursday, students at Seton Hill University, in Greensburg, will present the 10-minute comedy as part of Excela Health System's program for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"We've had other programs, but this is a first, combining a physicians panel with a fun event that focuses on a topic that's very important for women," said Robin Jennings, Excela's director of communications.

Ms. Miller, of St. Simons Island, Ga., was an actress whose credits included the TV series, "All My Children."

She moved on to write plays that have won more than a dozen national awards. "Next" is based on her sister's experience with her first mammogram.

"The machine broke and the technician came out with all the different things about self-examination, and they actually did it in the waiting room," Ms. Miller said in a phone interview.

"I'm always looking for a plot where people are together and can't leave, and a waiting room is the perfect place. I took the idea and ran with it."

"Next" debuted in 2003 in a One Act Festival in New York City. It won the Samuel French National Play Writing Contest and was performed in other 10-minute productions.

"Doctors and nurses in the audiences thought that it could be used as an educational piece," Ms. Miller said.

And it was. Alexandra Pieper-Jones, Excela's vice president of marketing and communications, saw it in 2006 when she was with a health system in Brunswick, Ga., and later asked Ms. Miller to be part of Excela's October program. Ms. Miller also will be coming for the show.

The play is directed by Seton Hill senior Brittany Huffman, a theater and business double major from Tyrone.

"The women come together from different backgrounds and experiences, and they connect through this common experience," she said. "It makes you sit back and see the different relationships you have with different people in your lives."

Maria Bruno, of Apollo, plays the technician who comes into the waiting room to tell the patients that the equipment is not working. Each woman reacts differently.

Anne, played by Amanda M. Bish, of Pittsburgh, is an outgoing woman who tries to make everyone feel comfortable. Jennifer Makowski, of Lower Burrell, is Barbara, who mostly keeps to herself, but connects when she talks about her experiences with mammograms.

Melissa Lingsch, of North Huntingdon, plays Claire, a breast cancer survivor who says little, but makes every word count. Stephanie Morris, of Pittsburgh, is Joan, who feels awkward over her first mammogram.

Ryan Carroll, of Freedom, is stage manager and Denise Pullen, associate professor of theater, is the faculty adviser.

The comedy delivers a valuable message, Ms. Miller said.

"Women have told me that they had mammograms after seeing [the play], that something was found and now they're OK," she said. "They tell me that the play saved their lives."

Following "Next," Excela Health radiologist David Buck will emcee a panel discussion with surgeon Geoffrey Joseph medical oncologist Terry L. Evans, and plastic and reconstruction specialist Michael Kluska. They will talk about screening and treatment options. A breast cancer survivor also will tell her story.

The free event will be in Cecilian Hall on campus. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. for refreshments and registration, and the play will begin at 6:30. To pre-register, call 1-877-771-1234.

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