For the 10th installment of Scene One Theatre's Short Attention Span Theatre, "any theme will do."
From bickering dance moms and a couple meeting while waiting for a city bus to investigating a haunted house and prom night, seven local playwrights have created eight original 10-minute plays to showcase in the 2019 Short Attention Span Theatre June 12-15 at Scene One Theatre, 623 Ohio St.
"Last year was the first time we had an open theme, and we had a lot of people writing plays," said Mark Wegman, Scene One Theatre president, artistic director and overall Short Attention Span Theatre director. "So, like last year, we said let's do 'any theme will do.' There are a variety of plays with lots of different themes."
Short Attention Span Theatre started back in 2006, often offering a theme for the collection of plays. But even with a "any theme will do" base, this year's Short Attention Span Theatre follows suit with past installments and delivers lots of comedies and a few dramas, Wegman said.
"There are two that show different takes on going to prom. and a comedy all set in a bathroom at a county fair. That one is interesting to stage, but we have come up with something very clever," he said, adding other plays depict a woman going on various job interviews and a serious piece directed by another local playwright Mary Jo LaCorte, who recently saw a successful run of her own original full-length play "Love's Calling" at Scene One. "(Playwright Denise Chambers') 'Stuck Behind the Glass' follows an individual who is not happy with who they presently are and they are talking in a mirror to the person who they would like to become, with that person giving them confidence they need."
Chambers and Brian Bray, who wrote "Ghost of Chance" and is directed by Wegman, are first-time playwrights. Veteran playwrights are Chris Kennison, who wrote and will direct "Bonfire of the Sanities;" Barry Beach, who wrote "A Chance Meeting or Two" that is directed by Erin Matteson; Lainie Vansant, who wrote "Overqualified" that is directed by Megan Wadley; Keenan McMahon, who wrote and is co-directing with Wegman "Overly Protective;" and Ben Stumpe, who wrote "Stalling" that is also directed by Wegman and "The Reality of Dance Moms," which is directed by Wegman's wife, Tracy.
Wegman said many playwrights are involved enough with Scene One Theatre that they seek out their own director, while others submit their plays to Wegman, who looks for directors for them.
"A 10-minute play is a great way for new directors to get started and get their feet wet, too," he added, noting Megan Wadley is a new director.
To help bring these unique short stories to life are 24 actors playing 33 characters. Five of those actors are also new to the Scene One Theatre stage: Karin Schatte, William Schatte, Stephanie Scott, Josh Luetjen and Maggie Eggen.
"We have many wonderful returning actors and new actors, who have performed with other theaters but never have graced the Scene One Theatre stage," Wegman said. "We also have a few Jefferson City kids who have done theater (in school) that are joining us."
Wegman has found many local playwrights have plays that run longer than the 10-15 minute range for Short Attention Span Theatre but still deserve to be produced. Later this summer, Scene One Theatre will showcase an evening of original one-act plays from local playwrights that range in length from 15-50 minutes.
Presented at 7:30 p.m. July 18-20 and 25-27, Not So Short Attention Span Theatre will present "Dirty Socks: The Clean Ones Just Don't Taste As Good" by JM Green, "Reconciliation" by Mary Jo LaCorte, "Two Snazzy Gals" by Lucia Erikson-Kincheloe and "Nine Round," "The 9th in Line" and "The Perfect Crime" by Keenan McMahon.
Regardless if it is 10 minutes or a full act, the community has expressed their love of seeing original plays locally produced from pen to stage.
"The people who are involved and the people who attend, they are thanking me and telling me how they love the original work and that someone in town wrote it," Wegman said. "It gets people excited and grows for there. It truly is one big party for our community."
All plays at Short Attention Span Theatre involve some adult content and are intended for adults and older teens. Each event begins at 7:30 p.m. June 12-15, with a matinee at 2 p.m. June 15. Shrunken Head Lounge will serve drinks. Tickets are $10 per person.
For more information or to reserve tickets, contact 573-635-6713 or [email protected].