September 1, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Theatre will present the seventh annual Festival of 10-Minute Plays at 7:30 p.m. nightly Sept. 24-26 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 27, in the Alys Stephens Center's Odess Theatre, 1200 10th Ave. S. Tickets are $3. Call 205-975-2787.
Produced by Lee Shackleford, UAB Theatre assistant professor and resident playwright, the festival will feature eight new, exciting 10-minute plays with the theme, "When Love Goes Wrong." This year's selected plays are "Adora," by Brett Blaylock of Russellville, "Gratefully Challenged" by Kirsten Casella of Rochester, Minn., "Darcie" by Taylor Campbell of Arab, "That Settles That" by Jordan Bohl of Athens, "For Better or Worse" by Cristal Laraé of Prichard, "The Romantic Adventures of Harrison Jones" by Krystal Hsu of Huntsville, "Bag Boy" by Daniel Martin of Trinity and "Happy Birthday, Grandma (and Other Tragedies)," a collection of monologues by Trista Baker of Warrior, Sarah Hereford of Huntsville, Alex LaFosta of Birmingham, Michelle Lott of Athens and Shackleford. Play directors are Shackleford, Hereford, Brenton Bellomy of Hollywood, Lauren Bowling of Centre, UAB Theatre Assistant Professor Jack Cannon, M.F.A., and UAB Theatre Program Manager Mel Christian, M.F.A.
The plays for the festival are created in the UAB Theatre playwriting class. Each year Shackleford teaches his students the art of the 10-minute play, which is just like any other play, only shorter, with fewer characters, little to no scenery or set, and performed in 10 minutes or less. The students must meet the challenge of the condensed play form. It is not a skit or a scene, but must have everything that a longer play has, without the luxury of time. They may write as many as 25 plays before the spring term is over, but only eight will be produced.
By September, the plays are rehearsed simultaneously, each with their own cast, costumes, lighting plans and everything that makes that play unique. Each aspect of all eight plays must be ready at the same time, a logistical effort choreographed with precision. The end of the near year-long project is a long weekend of performances to an always-packed house.
About UAB Theatre
The UAB Department of Theatre has won the highest honors awarded to university theaters, including best in region from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). In 2008, UAB's production of "In the Blood" was one of three shows chosen by KCACTF from 300 in consideration nationwide. Faculty members in the department continue to work professionally in addition to teaching. UAB Theatre performances are presented at the Alys Stephens Center, UAB's own world-class performing arts center. Next year the department will celebrate its 40th anniversary.