With only 18 days in between his hit summer play “Hunter Gatherers” and his new play “Colorado,” SF State alumnus Peter Sinn Nachtrieb is living the playwright’s dream.

Nachtrieb, a 32-year old graduate of SF State’s master of fine arts playwriting program, writes about the harsher realities of life in a comedic way. The play opened Sept. 21 at Impact Theatre’s La Val’s Subterranean, a theater in the basement of a pizza parlor in Berkeley. The play will run until Oct. 28.

"Colorado" explores the effects on a family forced to cope with the disappearance of their daughter, Tracy Ackhart, who was crowned "Miss Late Teen Colorado."

“It’s a satire on American pop culture and also a dysfunctional family, the importance of beauty worship and how those ideals shape our country,” Nachtrieb said.

In the play, Tracy parents, Grace and Ron, both decide to cope with the stress of their daughter’s disappearance in different ways, resulting in heightened tension between them. Meanwhile Travis, Tracy’s younger brother, whom she dislikes, begins exploring his sexuality.

Nachtrieb first began writing “Colorado” in 2001. For him, a major theme of the play is disappointment, but also what life is like for a family trapped in an idea of what they believe their dreams should be.

Nachtrieb’s previous play, “Hunter Gatherers,” which ran until Sept. 3, was produced by the San Francisco comedy group Killing My Lobster. It was their first full-length show to date. The dark comedy chronicled the dinner party of four friends and the chain reaction that followed once all of their secrets and desires were revealed.

Tracy Ward, who is currently directing SF State’s production of “Cloud 9,” worked with Nachtrieb while directing “Hunter Gatherers” this summer. Ward said working with him is great because they share the same sense of theatrical humor and world view. She said reading Nachtrieb’s scripts often make her laugh out loud, which she said she rarely does with anything else.

Anne Galjour, a lecturer in the creative arts department, had Nachtrieb in two classes and first read “Colorado” in 2004. For her, the script really stood out.

“As a teacher you can teach technique, but you can’t teach vision. Peter, as an MFA student, had a clear and distinct voice as a writer,” Galjour said. “After reading the play I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry because I realized what was happening to this family.”

After receiving his bachelor’s in theater arts and biology from Brown University, Nachtrieb moved back to the Bay Area, where he has been working ever since. He entered the MFA playwriting program at SF State in 2002. Nachtrieb, who was a full-time student for three years, finished “Colorado” upon receiving his MFA in 2005.

Although “Colorado” was not a graduation requirement, Nachtrieb worked on the play while in the program. He credits the department, in part, for redefining his direction in life.

“I really took a lot out of the program. The department allows you to take classes in cross genres, so you are surrounded by other nonfiction writers, playwrights and poets,” Nachtrieb said. “It’s really great as a writer to be in a community full of enthusiastic students and professors.”

He said the motivation for his work often comes from his interest in suburban tragedy. He is drawn to showing the parts of life that make people so comfortable that they forget about their basic survival.

Brian Thorstenson, a lecturer who had Nachtrieb in five classes, said there is a general zeitgeist to Nachtrieb’s work because he taps into both social and political themes through his characters and setting.

“I like to write comedies. I’m drawn to irony and getting at the truth of things through a comic view,” Nachtrieb said. “I use comedy as a way of engaging the audience and making them see the truth in a fun way.”

“Colorado” will continue to play Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. at Impact Theatre’s La Val’s Subterranean until Oct 28. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors.