Our History

Theatre Odyssey’s first Ten-Minute Play Festival in 2006 was a single-night, sold-out event. It cemented an idea that developed from conversations among local actors and writers that new, original work could be performed in different venues and everyone participating in any production would receive some monetary compensation for their time and talent. Initially, playwrights’ work from the local (Tampa Bay) region was invited for consideration for production.

In 2013, the company created a Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival to encourage emerging playwrights from local high schools. That initial festival was in January of that year and became Theatre Odyssey’s second annual event.

The 2019 Ten-Minute Play Festival welcomed plays from all over Florida and continues to do so. The Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival invites submissions from a multi-county area including Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

In 2021 Theatre Odyssey produced its third One-Act Play Festival and again invited writers from throughout the United States to submit their work for production locally. Limited to the first 100 plays submitted, plays were received from 27 states in just twenty-five days. The four finalist plays were presented at the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater at Manatee Performing Arts Center. 

Over 200 original new plays have been produced over the years. Many playwrights whose work was first presented by Theatre Odyssey have been published elsewhere, and their work has been produced nationally and internationally.

Theatre Odyssey has published three anthologies. Volume One is the work produced in the years 2006-2009; Volume Two, 2010-2013; and Volume Three, 2014-2017. They are available for purchase at our festivals or from national booksellers.

Theatre Odyssey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit company.