Actors Theater Mixes Up Actors, Authors and Directors

10-Minute PlayFest Opens this Friday, April 26

The Festival of Plays that opens this Friday, April 26 at the Grange is a community-led project in which actors, authors and directors — all local — present original short plays to their audience.

The PlayFest encourages novices and veterans alike to try their hand at acting, directing, and writing plays. The Ten Minute PlayFest was the brainchild of Sandi Marshall as part of her Leadership San Juans project in 2005.  Embraced and advanced by Actors Theater director Doug Bechtel, the PlayFest is produced this year under the direction of Cara Russell.

From www.orcasactors.com:

After reviewing 14 ten minute plays, seven have been selected for presentation this year.

The plays included in this year’s PlayFest are:

• “A Play at the Plate” written by Indy Zoeller, directed by Lynda Sanders and Melinda Milligan, starring Fred Vinson and Peter Vinson. A veteran baseball sportscaster clashes with his up-and-coming broadcaster partner, both on and off the air, during the late innings of a game.
• “Yard Sale” written by Jackie Bates, directed by Frank Michels, starring Audrey Neddermann, Nate Feder, and Gillian Smith. Em is getting ready for a garage sale and things get complicated when unexpected and uninvited “help” shows up.
• “Sign Off” written by Cara Russell, directed by Gillian Smith, and featuring Tom Fiscus, Aerial Brown, and Andy Martin. It’s late one night in Manteca, California in April of 1973, and a young woman is determined to change her life.
• “Adverse Possession” written by Bill Westlake, directed by Lin McNulty, and featuring Maura O’Neill, Chelsea Dean, and Brian Richard. Never underestimate the power of a woman in prison.
• “Results Are In” written by Lin McNulty, directed by Cara Russell and featuring Olivia Smith, Michele Griskey, and Nick Hershenow. On the biggest night of Holly Ogden’s career, daughter Heather has managed to put a halt to the night, making it all about her.
• “The Palm Reader” written by James Wolf, directed by Patty Monaco, featuring Cara Russell and Thian Armenia. A chance encounter between a young boy playing war and a woman who cares could prove to be life-changing.
• “Devil May Care” written by Frank Michels, directed by Audra Goffeney, featuring Kira Bradshaw, Cele Westlake, Tracy Oniya, and Bev Johnsen. The play follows a young woman as she struggles with her demons in order to find her sobriety.

The plays will be presented at the Grange, opening on Friday April 26, Saturday April 27, and Sunday April 28. Then Friday May 3, Saturday May 4, and closing on Sunday May 5. All performances are at 7:30PM.

The first act is suitable for all ages. The second act is suitable for children over 13. Tickets are $5. For additional information call Cara Russell 376-6052, or email at lobby_drifter@hotmail.com. Tickets are available at Darvill’s, on-line at www.orcasactors.com and at the door.