How much trouble can one get into in 10 minutes? That’s the question posited by Women In Theatre, the group that conceived of “Kaua‘i Shorts” two years ago. Next weekend is the second of what has become a bi-annual tradition
How much trouble can one get into in 10 minutes? That’s the question posited by Women In Theatre, the group that conceived of “Kaua‘i Shorts” two years ago. Next weekend is the second of what has become a bi-annual tradition for WIT, their 10-Minute Play Festival showing at Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center.
Resident playwrights were invited in early spring to enter scripts confined to a 10-minute format. On August 7, 8 and 9 the 13 chosen features will be put through their paces on stage.
“In 10 minutes you can keep the story interesting,” said first time participant, Richard Pettigrew of Princeville. Pettigrew’s play “Guida” personifies a mystical cat and is his first screenplay to meet the stage.
“I love the idea of giving voice to animals,” he said.
Every other year both new and veteran playwrights are invited to enter a script.
“This year we have half and half — a couple of people it’s their first stab and others have been at it a long time,” said Romey Curtis, a founding member of WIT, who wrote, “Stowaway,” her 10-minute play about a foreigner desperate for a green card.
One thing that makes this festival fun for Curtis is the audience involvement.
“I can’t get over how much the audience enjoyed the voting process last time,” she said. “If you go to all three nights you can vote on what you really love.”
At the end of Friday and Saturday evenings, audience members will cast votes on the program then drop it in a box for WIT members to count. Sunday will feature plays in the first act only with the audience voting at intermission. While the audience enjoys free refreshments those final votes will be counted. The three audience favorites will be reprised in the final act of the festival.
Pettigrew has enjoyed the process from conception to casting and production.
“It’s reassuring to hear my words read by an actress,” he said. “I feel fortunate to have an experienced cast to assist me in this first time process.”
There is pressure on both actors and playwrights in these snapshot scenes considering there’s just one opportunity to woo the audience for a vote.
“This is the challenge,” Pettigrew said. “It’s a one-shot deal.”
This diverse collection also includes “Hot Dog” by Doug Ross; “Lights Out” and “Love Story” by David Penhallow; “Emergency” by Island School’s drama class; “Your Wish is Granted” by Lucy Dickson; “But Doctor” and “Burying Johnny” by Anne Welsh; “That is the Question” by Leinani Springer; “Card Game” by Jim Bray; “Changing Room” by Robin Madden and “The Audition” by Wil Welsh.
Prizes will be awarded each night to the person wearing the most amusing pair of shorts. Emcee Richard Porto will act as judge.
Tickets are $20 at the door; $15, outlets; $10, students or buy a three-day pass in advance for $30. The pass may be used all in one night with three friends or divided any way preferable. Tickets available at the following outlets: Ola’s, Hanalei; Magic Dragon, Princeville; North Shore Pharmacy, Kilauea; Kong Lung, Kilauea; Vicky’s Fabrics, Kapa‘a; The Wine Shop, Koloa; Kalaheo Cafe; Banana Patch Studios, Hanapepe; Aloha-n-Paradise, Waimea.
Want to go?
What: Women In Theatre present a ‘10-Minute Play Festival’
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 7, 8; 4 p.m. Aug. 9
Where: Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center
•Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
