'First Contact' Theme of Newest Edition of Ten Minute Playhouse from New Works Nashville

Fresh off of the success of presenting 30 new scripts and being named one of the Top 11 Theatrical Events of 2011 by The First Night Honors, New Works Nashville is now accepting submissions for the third edition of their wildly popular showcase for Middle Tennessee artists, The Ten Minute Playhouse.

Scheduled for April 15 and 16, The Ten Minute Playhouse is seeking new plays by local playwrights to be performed in a staged reading by talented area artists. For the first time, writers are asked to submit plays based on a theme.

 “We wanted to do something special for Nashville audiences this spring,” says co-curator Nate Eppler of the theme concept. “Audiences will have the opportunity to see two nights of exceptional new plays exploring the same theme in exciting, challenging and unique ways. We can’t wait to see what area writers come up with!”

Eppler and co-curators Lauren Shouse, Chris Bosen and Garret Schneider sought a theme that would allow writers a wide playing field to delve into a variety of genres, settings, and interpretations. This spring’s theme is: FIRST CONTACT.

“Part of what makes The Playhouse exciting and unique is that every 10 minutes you get to try something different,” Bosen suggests. “Extreme comedy, introspective drama, whatever our writers can dream up. The Playhouse is like those tapas restaurants where you sample a wide variety of flavors in small bites that together make a filling meal.”

Shouse, artistic associate at the Tennessee Repertory Theatre and director of the upcoming Superior Donuts, looks forward to facilitating the audience feedback sessions with the playwrights after each reading.

”The moment of first contact is full of potential,” Shouse explains. “It is the very instant when the world opens up, or slams shut forever.” 

Submissions of new ten-minute plays may be made through 5pm Friday, March 23, by emailing a PDF attachment to NewWorksNashville@gmail.com. Full submission guidelines and requirements are posted online at TenMinutePlayhouse.com.

Actors and directors interested in participating are invited to visit the website for additional information and email New Works Nashville to volunteer to participate in the readings. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 15 and 16, at a soon-to-be-announced local theatre. For more information please visit TenMinutePlayhouse.com.

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