TST 13th Annual 10 Minute Play Festival

This year’s playwrights were challenged to interpret the theme Blast from the Past. The resulting winning pieces offer a dynamic, thought-provoking, and often hilarious look at how history, memory, and nostalgia shape our present and future. The selected 10-minute plays will make their world premiere this October at the historic Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre in the heart of Hollywood. “We were overwhelmed by the creativity and depth of the submissions we received this year,” said Veronica McClelland, CEO of Towne Street Theatre. “The theme “Blast from the Past” clearly resonated with writers. Our winning plays span eras and genres, but they all share a brilliant ability to capture a profoundly human moment in just ten minutes. We can’t wait to bring these fresh voices to life on the Stella Adler stage.”

PERFORMANCES

AULD LANG SYNE by Dan Borengasser, directed by Raf Mauro

A woman and two men attend their 50th high school reunion and discover that, apparently, some auld acquaintance can't be forgot.

AURORA HEIGHTS by DeLane McDuffie, directed by Jaimyon Parker

A lonely outcast returns home looking for redemption, forgiveness, and his old life back.

DOLL HOUSE written and directed by Kimba Henderson

A young black woman is reminded why protesting is so important.

FIRST DATE by Paul Bowman, directed by Phone Tha

A couple who have been married a long time misremember their first encounter.

HENRY’S EPITAPH by Jalen McKoy, directed by Kimba Henderson

When the family of legendary John Henry must decide what will be on his gravestone, they're forced to confront who their patriarch really was and if he can be remembered as more than a "steel-driving man."

LIZZIE BORDEN GETS ENGAGED by Ellen Abrams, directed by Veronica Thompson

It is a year after the dreadful murders of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother, and still insisting on her innocence, a lonely Lizzie decides that it is time to seek romance.

MY HOUSE by Gail Thornton Borkowski, directed by Xanxan Beneche

In late 1964, a grandmother, who is being forced to vacate her home in the Deep South, is helped by her young grandson with the move. The two share memories and a long held secret.

THE TEA TEST by Seth Freeman, directed by Veronica Thompson

When two long-time friends share a casual cup of tea, an unexpectedly tense debate leads to a very real question of life and death.

UNDETECTED by JP Rapozo, directed by Phone Tha

A talented dancer living with HIV must audition for his ex-boyfriend’s production, forcing both men to confront the love, heartbreak, and stigma they thought they’d left behind.

WASTED by Bara Swain, directed by Xanxan Beneche

Dorothy hopes that a surprise visit from her mother will give her courage to carry out a daunting task.