TWELFTH ANNUAL
STUDENT TEN-MINUTE PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL
Eight finalists selected for production from 53 entries
Sixty-five high school students from the Gulf Coast area have submitted 53 plays for the 2024 student playwriting festival. The eight finalists will be brought to life May 11-12 at the FSU/Asolo Center for the Performing Arts in Sarasota. The Festival’s Best Play as determined by a panel of judges will receive the $1,000 Verna Safran Prize. Runner-up receives $500.
Another Statistic
by Giovanni Porreca
Manatee School for the Arts (Palmetto)
A teenager and a receptionist have a chat in the waiting room..
Giovanni Porreca is a high school senior, and this is his second year as a finalist in Theatre Odyssey’s Annual Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival. His performance credits at his high school include Simeon in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Black Stache in “Peter and the Starcatcher,” Bill Livingston in “The Women of Lockerbie,” among others. After high school, Giovanni intends on getting his BFA in Musical Theatre. Special thanks to Theatre Odyssey for providing us with wonderful opportunities!
As Red Pearls Adorn the White Rose
by Chloe Johnson
Booker High School (Sarasota)
Emily convinces a boy that the spirit of his girlfriend Aurora, who recently died in a car accident, now possess Emily, allowing their romance to continue.
Chloe Johnson is a 12th grader in the Booker High School Theater VPA Program. She has previously written and directed the play “Apple Trees and Adams Eve” at Fed’s Backyard Theater. She wants to thank her family and friends who have encouraged even the silliest of her creative endeavors. She is so excited for the opportunity that Theater Odyssey has given her to see her work onstage.
The CATIDS
by Delaney Lockwood
Venice High School
A high school teacher conjures up historical figures as she makes a lesson plan.
Delaney Lockwood is a freshman at Venice High School, where she is involved in Student Government, Chorus and Drama. Delaney has participated in community theatre for several years and is also currently a member of Venice Theatre’s Youth Production Company. She hopes to pursue theatre and writing in college and is so excited for the opportunity and experience to see her play brought to life.
The Coffee Shop of the Gods
by Seamus Kehoe
Homeschooled
Humanity has abandoned the Gods and they gather in a coffee shop to discuss just ending the world!
Seamus Kehoe is mad for Mythology. From an early age, he has torn through anything about World Mythology he can get his hands on. You can find him outside, reading a book or weaving new worlds, or bunny wrangling (with four rescue bunnies and a big dog who think she’s a bunny). He loves traveling and studying languages. Seamus has been homeschooled since first grade and is now in tenth grade. He assists his Sensei as a Senpai in Aikido. Seamus is so grateful to have been in acting classes at Venice Theatre since age 7. Last year he wrote his first play ever and submitted it to Theatre Odyssey and won Runner-Up. He was so grateful to Theatre Odyssey then, and again now, to watch his creations come to life on stage.
Confessions
by E’Nayshja Cousins
Lake Gibson High School (Lakeland)
In a mental hospital, three teenagers with very little knowledge of each other engage in a conversation that takes a very dark turn.
E’Nayshja Cousins is a senior at Lake Gibson High. She’s been writing plays for the stage for the past three years, succeeding in getting her work produced in multiple stage readings and one full production. Writing has been a passion she’s carried with her ever since she was young. She’s very grateful for the opportunity that Theatre Odyseey has presented her with and she can’t wait to share her work with you!
No Entry
by Dylan Humphrey
Gibbs High School (St. Petersburg)
Medieval England, Circa 980 AD. Two knights chat as they guard the door they have been commissioned to guard for the day. They are interrupted by a woman who seeks entry and discover it is not the home they thought.
Dylan Humphrey is a Junior at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg. He took a playwriting class in his freshman year and has been playwriting ever since. He’s always taken an interest in creating art, and this festival was motivation for creation. He’s incredibly proud of this work and is incredibly excited to see it performed. He’d like to thank his teacher, Caroline Carter, for inspiring him and teaching playwriting.
One Last Reflection
by Jaylen Benony
Booker High School (Sarasota)
In a place between heaven and hell, the elder, adult, teen and child self argue their case to an Angel for entrance to heaven.
Jaylen Benony is an aspiring screenwriter and entrepreneur aiming to own his own production company. He began writing poetry which led to amazing opportunities throughout his school and community life. Poetry led him to script writing, allowing him to be a three-time Theatre Odyssey Student Playwright Finalist. Seeing his plays performed on stage and the effect they had on the audience has led him to want to go to college as a Film/Screenwriting Major.
Something Fishy
by Patrick Van Eyck
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School (Bradenton)
In a household full of cats, a pet goldfish goes missing and fingers begin pointing.
Patrick van Eyck is currently a senior at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, and is finishing his fourth year of Theatre studies with Mrs. Elisha. “Something Fishy” is Patrick’s third consecutive play to be produced, for which he is extremely grateful and delighted.
Student playwrights who may have little theater experience are advised to consider the difference between writing for the stage and writing for cinema—your drama or English teacher likely has a selection of books for guidance. This brief instructional video by local teacher/playwright Connie Schindewolf which will be very helpful. It is important to understand the Guidelines for Festival entries—especially requirements for running time, size of cast, and originality.
What makes a good ten-minute play? We suggest studying some excellent examples: the finalists in Theatre Odyssey festivals. All four volumes, covering festivals from 2006 to 2022, are available from Amazon.
Executive Producer
Executive Producer
Season Presenter