PLAYS

SHORT PLAYS

The Nest NEW A story of two teenaged sisters, Tina (age 15) and Brenda (age 18) who are trying to keep their household running while their mother awaits trial for the murder of her husband, Tina's father. Set in the dining room of the family home. 2 W. Ten-Minute running time.

Meyer's Pyre Meyer, a hypochondriac forever rehearsing his own funeral, and Asa, his long-time friend, have scheduled a lunch date. Before they can break bread, the day turns to an ugly dissolution of their friendship when a secret is revealed. Set in Meyer's backyard.

2 M. Ten-minute running time.

China Routing Ed, the owner of Ed's Diner takes pity on Horton, a man alone on Thanksgiving. Horton has severe emotional problems that spill over onto an unsuspecting Ed. Set in a 'greasy-spoon'. 2 M. Ten-minute running time.

Cordelia Cordelia and Milton are secretly holed up in Cordelia's bedroom, hoping for an intimate moment or two. Cordelia's mother will have none of it, and bangs on the locked bedroom door , demanding entry. Set in Cordelia's bedroom and the hallway.

2 W, 1 M. Ten-minute running time.

Freedom's Last Breath NEW Soldier has a hear-to-heart with Citizen about the cost of freedom. Set in LIMBO. 2 M or 1M, 1 W. Ten-minute running time.

Just Like That Abbie and Bea, two homeless women, discuss Abbie's recent break-up with a man they both know. Set in an alley with two refrigerator cartons, side-by-side. 2W. Two-minute running time.

PLAYS UNDER TEN MINUTES IN LENGTH

TEN MINUTE PLAYS

Browning Ambush Randolph, a city-boy, has come to Arlo's archery range to learn how to shoot a bow-and-arrow . When Randolph discovers Arlo's unorthodox method of teaching, he tries to leave. Arlo will have none of it. Set outside at the archery range2 M. Ten-minute running time.

Tick Tock! Self-sacrificing Georgette lives with her mother and father. Father has recently become hospitalized. Jerilyn, Georgette's selfish younger sister has come for a visit, finally. Mother, at the moment, is a clock, ticking and tocking in her swivel chair. The plot turns murderous as the sisters spar, with Mother's incessant ticking as a backdrop. Set in the family living room. 3W. Ten-minutes running time.

Raging Hormones Julie (on the mend from an abortion) has come back home to live. Blanche, her recently-widowed mother, is menopausal. Hormones rage as secrets are revealed. Set in Julie's bedroom, and the hallway. 2 W. Ten-minute running time.

Bambini Babies A PLAY ABOUT OCTUPETS BEFORE 2009. Ed and Clarise, recent parents of octuplets (and experiencing their ten minutes of fame), are being interviewed by a well-known talking-head, camera running, when a bigger story comes over the wire, leaving them holding the diapers Set in the Bambini living room, eight baby carriers lined up on the floor. 2 W, 2M. Ten-minutes running time.

Crossing Over Banzwa, the sleeper, meets the Visitor, and 'crosses over' during his dream. Set where Bonzwa sleeps.2M. Ten-minutes running time.

Hearts and Chamomile Tea Two sisters, and one ex-husband, find themselves stranded in the family cabin during a blizzard. 2W, 1M. Ten-minutes running time.

Going Up! (Arizoni award winner in Playwright Theatre's Ten-Minutes of Fame) A 'believer' meets three people of 'faith' waiting in Pergatory. God, the elevator operator, announces "Going up!" and "Going down!" as the Majority turns on the Minority.

4 actors plus 1M . Ten-minute running time.

Brother, Can You Spare Me... (Used in competition in Ardmore Oklahoma; made it to the final round of the 2005 Herring Run Arts Fest.) A story of two brothers, Arnie, an out-of-work handiman, and his older brother, Carl, a successful attorney; the brothers grapple with the aftermath of the murder of Arnie's wife. A story of loyalty, self-preservation and role-reversals. Set in Arnie's cluttered, run-down kitchen. 2 M . Ten-minute running time.

Reviewer Reviler Monte Monty is kidnapped by the notorious Reviewer Reviler, Harlan Haskell. Monte finds himself bound and gagged in a room with numbered doors. Kidnapped reviewers of every ilk bang on their respective doors. Monte attempts to talk his way out of his duct tape. Set in a room with doors lining the perimeter. 2 M. Ten-minute running time.

Old Glory Sixties protester mourns the death of the grandson she raised (Marine killed by friendly-fire). Set at gravesite during the funeral. 3W, 2M. Ten-minute running time.

Gray Lady's Angel Baby Angel Baby, an aborted child, comes to visit her mother, Gray Lady, on the eighteenth anniversary of the deed. Set in LIMBO. 2W or 1M, 1W. . Ten-minute running time.

Things That Go Bump A couple deals with house guests (relatives) . At the same time, they try to manage their lives in relation to a live-in mother with dementia. Set in the living room at Halloween. 3W, 2M. Ten-minute running time.

Riding the Edge A wild ride on a Chicago elevated train. Set in a train car. 4M, 1W plus Assorted Passengers. Ten-minute running time.

Third Coming Judgement Day in another dimension. No dialogue. Movement . 1M, 1W, Hooded Men. 2 minute running time.

In Concert No dialogue. A music conductor and musicians. Music and movement. Set in a music room. Flexible cast. 3 minute running time.

WRITING THE TEN-MINUTE PLAY

The ten-minute play seems like it would be easy to write.

Ten pages. Big deal! How many mistakes can I make?

Is that what you're thinking? Not so fast. You only have ten minutes to engage audience members, unfold a story that will keep their attention, and come to an earned resolution that is both satisfying and plausible.

Your conflict must be articulated no later than page two, or the beginning of page three.

In the first two pages, you must show the audience members the world they will be inhabiting for this ten minute period in their lives, as well as the one they will be revisiting on the way home from the theatre.

In the first two pages, you must develop your characters, communicate what's at stake for them, what they want, need and desire, as well as how they behave!

Whew!

Pages three through eight or nine, it is important that you add complications, so the audience won't know how the play will turn out. Keep the suspense factor high. Find one or two complications at most to develop.

Use the last page for the resolution of the conflict. Use it to restore the balance for the central character.

Remember: your ending need not be a happy one.

Have fun!