Thursday October 18, 2012

WEST CHESTERFIELD, N.H. -- The Actors Theatre Playhouse continues its 2012 Ten Minute Play Festival through Oct. 27, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Ten Minute Plays capture pivotal moments. Says festival co-Producer Michael Fox Kennedy, "They challenge the playwright, the director, and the actors to make it all happen now, the way it often does in real life. There is no time for long background exposition or the slow teasing out of emotional undercurrents. Before we are ready, life hits us with something new. We react from the gut in ways that surprise even ourselves. It's a formula that works equally well for uproarious comedy, a sudden tragedy, or an unexpected breakthrough in short, all the variety of life."

Arthur Pettee, who has directed for the festival in the past, will be wearing his acting hat this season. "The variety of the seven pieces is great for the audience. They don't know what's coming next. For the actor, too. I get to play two completely different roles. Off with one hat, on with another. It's great fun."

Ten Minute Plays have become a popular genre across the theatre world. Playwrights love the challenge. Thousands of them have been written by seemingly just about everyone, from the best known writers to neophyte playwriting college and high school students. Festivals abound across the nation and around the world.

The Actors Theatre Playhouse considers all these sources in its

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selection process. The directors start in the fall by reading hundreds of 10-minute scripts. Before the winter is over they have made their selections. Casting is completed in the spring, and rehearsals are spaced out over the summer. These little gems also provide a training ground. Each year new directors and actors are introduced to the Actors Theatre audience, and some have gone on to direct or act in the playhouse's main stage and staged reading productions.

This year's directors are Michael Fox Kennedy, Michael Jerald, Richard Epstein, Burt Tepfer, Gianni Mack and Carrie Kidd. The actors are Arthur Pettee, Jim Bombicino, Skylar Heathwaite, Nell Curley, Nan Mann, Randy Bright, Robin Wolf, Oriah Shea Wind, Abby Wicker, Sara Vitale, Christina Doe, Merrilyn Jones Taylor and Ray Mahoney.

The lineup includes: "The DMV One" by Nick Zagone, "Two Part Invention" by Michael Hollinger, "Beautiful Noises" by Scott Sickles, "Gunning for Life" by William Borden, "Is Hope Dead?" by Joe Applegate and "Anything for You" by Cathy Celesia.

All tickets are $8, and reservations are recommended. Contact the toll free box office at 877-666-1855. Visit WWW.Actors-Theatre.Info for information.)