Theatre Odyssey

Bringing plays to life

ELEVENTH ANNUAL STUDENT TEN-MINUTE PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL

Eric Henry and Shawn Genther in A MATTER OF TIME, this year's winning student play by Elaina Bayard.
Eric Henry and Shawn Genther in A MATTER OF TIME, this year's winning student play by Elaina Bayard.
Student Playbill Cover 2023 copy

Click on the image above for a look at our online playbill, learn about the actors and directors who created this year’s Festival.

Festival Production Manager Preston Boyd commented that the work by students this year made the competition, judged by Dr. Valerie Barnes Lipscomb, Benny Sato Ambush, and David Covach, particularly challenging. And he noted that for the first time, Theatre Odyssey retained dramaturgy services from award-winning playwright Jason Cannon for each of the eight finalists. “This strengthened the plays,” he said, “and what a great experience for students to have this attention paid to their work.” Cannon’s involvement was funded by a generous gift from Melliss Kenworthy Swenson, honoring her late husband Curt.

“Our full house audiences were treated to something special,” said Theatre Odyssey President Michael Bille, himself an award-winning playwright. “The live theater experience was enhanced by fine direction and excellent acting performances.”

A MATTER OF TIME — Glenn Schudel, Eric Henry, playwright Elaina Bayard, director Leona Collesano, and Shawn Genther.
A MATTER OF TIME — Glenn Schudel, Eric Henry, playwright Elaina Bayard, director Leona Collesano, and Shawn Genther.

RUNNER-UP: THE GAME OF GIFTS

THE GAME OF GIFTS—Director Blake Walton, William Ashburn, playwright Seamus Kehoe, Donna DeFant, and Lucinda Schlotterback.
THE GAME OF GIFTS—Director Blake Walton, William Ashburn, playwright Seamus Kehoe, Donna DeFant, and Lucinda Schlotterback.

For details on plays, playwrights, and adjudicators, see the playbill.

BLOOD AND TEA–Julee Breehne, Director Leona Collesano, Andrea Keddell, playwright Eve Hare, Lindsey Nickel, Glenn Schudel, and Ruth Shaulis.
BLOOD AND TEA–Julee Breehne, Director Leona Collesano, Andrea Keddell, playwright Eve Hare, Lindsey Nickel, Glenn Schudel, and Ruth Shaulis.
CHANGING FORTUNES–Dylan Jones, director Bob Trisolini, Madeline Barrett, Kennedy Cole, Steve Dawson, Atticus Pratt, and playwright Patrick van Eyck.
CHANGING FORTUNES–Dylan Jones, director Bob Trisolini, Madeline Barrett, Kennedy Cole, Steve Dawson, Atticus Pratt, and playwright Patrick van Eyck.
FATHER’S FINAL GIFT—Dylan Jones, William Ashburn, playwright Jaylen Benony, director Bob Trisolini, Vanessa Russo, and Mark Shoemaker.
FATHER’S FINAL GIFT—Dylan Jones, William Ashburn, playwright Jaylen Benony, director Bob Trisolini, Vanessa Russo, and Mark Shoemaker.
SEEDLING SPRITE—Director Ann Morrison, Nick Schroeder, Claire Timney, playwright Kayla Moran, Amy Goldman, and Joseph Smith.
SEEDLING SPRITE—Director Ann Morrison, Nick Schroeder, Claire Timney, playwright Kayla Moran, Amy Goldman, and Joseph Smith.
THE DEADLINE—Director Blake Walton, Lucinda Schlotterback, playwright Damion Clifford, Amy Goldman, Joseph Smith, and Anuj Naidu.
THE DEADLINE—Director Blake Walton, Lucinda Schlotterback, playwright Damion Clifford, Amy Goldman, Joseph Smith, and Anuj Naidu.
THE DEVOUT SPINSTER—Director Ann Morrison, Annabelle Dorsett, playwright Sawyer Girgis, Peg Harvey, and Charlie Agurcia.
THE DEVOUT SPINSTER—Director Ann Morrison, Annabelle Dorsett, playwright Sawyer Girgis, Peg Harvey, and Charlie Agurcia.

Executive Producer

Paragon Festivals

Season Presenter

CAN Community Health