Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Can you create 10 minutes of magic?

The concept of timed plays - like one-minute play festivals or 10-minute play festivals - remind me of those timed math tests they make you take in the second grade, where you're only allotted so much time to get as many multiplication, division, addition or subtraction problems completed. I was usually pretty good at it, though they were awfully nerve-wracking.

Except when it comes to plays, you have to set up interesting characters and a plot all within a matter of minutes. I've written short stories before, but have never tackled plays. It's amazing how brilliant some people are at presenting great staged works with all the major elements in such a short period of time.

For those adventurous playwrights and others who are up to the challenge, here's a chance to submit short plays: Theatre Odyessey's 10-minute play festival, which will be held March 27-29 and April 3-5, 2009 at the historic Crocker Memorial Church. Organizers are now accepting submissions. Works will be selected in early January. Those who are chosen must commit to attending the April 5, 2009 production and awards ceremony. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 31.

For this contest, playwrights should submit three anonymous copies of their works with a cover letter that includes contact information. Writers should also be full time or part time residents of the Florida Gulf coast region.

Send scripts to: Theatre Odyssey, 5370 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 209, Longboat Key, FL 34228.

For more information and guidelines, email theatreodyessey@gmail.com or visit www.theatreodyssey.org.

- January Holmes

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