Fourteenth Annual Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival

May 2-3, Cook Theatre, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton

Behind the Curtain
by Jaylene Diaz, Wesley Chapel High School
Directed by Leona Collesano
A rumored haunted theatre, a dead actor, and a hidden secret. Accusations fly and paranoia spreads as someone tries to hide their truth while the spirit of a old acquaintance looms over them, demanding the truth and seeking revenge.

Charlie Agurcia — Thomas Bayford/William
Joseph Klens — Joseph Seagrave/Henry
Morgan Powis— Edith Godsell
Paul Mullen — Stephan Ackford
stage crew — Grace Wormington

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Forgotten
by Maliah Anderson-Black, Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland
Directed by Gabriel V. Ortiz
19-year-old Joan develops a metastatic brain tumor. Her longtime boyfriend, Simon, stays by her side, and twin brother Casey constantly checks on her. But as Joan’s tumor progresses, she slowly loses her memories.

Eyrelin Laviolette — Joan
Zachary Chapman — Simon
Thomas Finn — Casey
Lee Gundersheimer — Dr. Jack

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The Astronaut Blues
by Ilania Avery, Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland
Directed by Yinoelle Colon
Two girls in a high school program for producing future astronauts debate the idea of college and how to find happiness after high school. For Lana, school no longer provides the happiness she found as a child.

Delaney Lockwood — Lana
Ava Riley — MJ

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The Confession
by Lillian Donahue, Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, Bradenton
Directed by Gabriel V. Ortiz
Father Francis takes confession and finds solace in his own confession.

Zachary Chapman — Father Francis
Thomas Finn — Christian 
Lee Gundersheimer — Dr. Davenport

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The Final Odyssey
by Seamus Kehoe, homeschooled, Venice
Directed by Glenn Schudel
Greek hero Odysseus is stranded on a strange island far from home, where dwells the isolated nymph, Calypso. As Odysseus shares with her his tale, they find the story is far from over when two gods arrive. Odysseus and Calypso then must band together to survive the mayhem that ensues.

Scott Ehrenpreis — Odysseus
Carrie Greenberg — Calypso
Charlie Agurcia — Poseidon
Morgan Powis — Athena

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The Shadow of Alder Creek
by Emma Plasencia, Lake Gibson High School, Lakeland
Directed by Leona Collesano
As a young girl grieves the loss of her late mother, an elderly man finds an unexpected connection with her through shared experiences and great tragedy.

Delaney Lockwood — Mallory
Paul Mullen — Mr. Will

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The Waiting Room
by Delaney Lockwood, Venice High School
Directed by Glenn Schudel
While in a hospital waiting room, two mothers find unexpected support in—and connection to—each other.

Jill Schroeder — Linda
Cristina Bickerstaff — Susan
Scott Ehrenpreis — Orderly, Police Officer

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Two Minutes to Go
by Norah Courtright, East River High School, Orlando
Directed by Yinoelle Colon
Kenny is dipping his toe into the dating pool by attending a university-hosted “All Ages Speed Dating”. But making a good impression isn’t as easy as it seems. Kenny perseveres through a series of oddball two-minute dates, hoping to meet his soulmate.

Easton Laviolette — Kenny
Evangeline De La O — Brea
Gabriella Sands — Sam
Jill Schroeder — Normah
Katherine Powell — Taylor