Theatre Odyssey Presents its Seventh Annual Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival

Theatre Odyssey's seventh annual Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival takes place on January 26 at 7:30 p.m. and January 27 at 2 p.m. at the Jane B. Cook Theatre at Asolo/FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Eight plays will compete for Best Play and Runner-up awards decided by three adjudicators.

The Best Play author will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship award and the Runner-up play writer will receive $500. In addition, the remaining young authors will receive $100 each. The scholarship awards have been made possible through the generosity of the Dorothy B. Templeton Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

The festival is also supported by a gift from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Theatre Odyssey is also grateful that CAN Community Health is its 2018-2019 Season Sponsor.

About the plays-

Half-Mast by Cas Bradley (Sarasota High School) is a short drama that touches on life, romance, family, friendship, and the effects of mass shootings on American society.

Hold On, We'll Be Alright by Elia Chatham (Saint Stephen's Episcopal School) tells the emotional battle that a family endures when a loved one is deployed. Elizabeth and John Jean seem to be handling their husband/father's deployment well, until Elizabeth receives an unexpected call.

The Lucky Penny by Kea Kamiya (State College of Florida Collegiate School) is about Tessa, a college student, who could use a good genie in a bottle. Unfortunately, the genies are busy and she gets stuck with Luck, a spiritual servant that is connected to a penny. Genies might give out wishes, but Luck provides luck for an entire day. Tessa is in for the time of her life!

Pillow Forts by Bella Liakakos (Sarasota High School)-Lauren and Brooke have always made a pillow fort for every sleepover they had. Starting from the age of 5 and continuing until the age of 17 right after high school graduation, the audience follows their journey keeping their friendship alive within the sheets and pillows they build to protect their childhood. However, they must learn to accept that their childhood is coming to an end as they both move on to separate colleges.

A Stone in the Mosaic by Grace Lumpkin (Sarasota High School) follows Evelyn Jefferson as she navigates the internal and external struggles within the fight for Women's Suffrage. While fighting for her freedom in the ballot booths, she also fights for her position in her home life. This story brings principal historical events pertaining to a woman's suffrage and narrows in on how real people within the time period may have experienced it.

The Tragedy of Benjamin Finch by Mary Margaret Steber (Sarasota High School) is the story of four strangers are brought together by a broken down bus. On a rainy day, stuck on the bus together, they begin sharing their own stories of loss and tragedy to help a friend. Bonding and becoming friends they find out a surprise that will change their lives forever.

Waiting Room by Harley Haas (Sarasota High School) is about Henry Knoble's deep love for his wife. In "Waiting Room" he reminisces the critical points in his relationship with his wife through a series of flashbacks, which bring laughter, joy, and heartbreak. The memories begin with the first date, then marriage, and starting a family, before diving into why Henry chose to talk about his wife.

What it Means to YOU by Riley Dillard (Sarasota High School)-The Call of The Void, or L'appel du vide, is a feeling you get when standing at an edge of something with a sudden urge to throw yourself or something very valuable off it. In this play, a personification of this phenomenon occurs as the lead character meets people who are going through crises. He meets them at random, in casual locations and helps them come to a revelation and meet the call of the void.

Tickets are available at www.theatreodyssey.org. Tickets for adults are $25, and students with valid identification may purchase tickets for $10. Group discounts are also available. All seating is reserved.

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