On June 6-8, 2025, the Old Courthouse Theatre’s (OCT) Black Box plays host to an event that has quickly become a fan favorite: the annual 10-minute play festival. This unique event celebrates the power of short-form theater, inviting playwrights, directors, actors, and audiences to satisfy their theatrical aspirations on a smaller scale than what you would find in a main-stage production. If you want to try your hand at performance for the first time or it’s been years since you last stepped into the spotlight but don’t know if you’re yet ready for the big stage, the 10-minute play festival may be just what you’re looking for.

The festival began in 2013 when long-time OCT patron and volunteer, Andy Rassler, presented a proposal to the board. She had seen similar events have success at other theaters and thought it could work here.

Rassler stated, “As a playwright, I had submitted to a number of these festivals around the country and it suddenly occurred to me that we could have one right here in Concord, NC! It does take some time to coordinate and read, but it is such a fun project and it gets people doing theatre!”

After humble beginnings on the mainstage, the festival branched out to surrounding venues, such as the Cabarrus Brewery. Although going on the road took the festival to the masses and helped spread OCT’s name throughout the community, it was not without its challenges. A couple years later, it returned to the OCT’s mainstage and eventually it found its current, permanent home in the Black Box.

What Exactly Is a 10-Minute Play Festival?

The 10-Minute Play Festival is, at its core, a celebration of short-form storytelling. As the name implies, each play performed in the festival runs approximately ten minutes. The brevity of each piece forces playwrights to focus their storytelling, creating compact, powerful narratives that pack an emotional punch in a short amount of time.

The festival features playwrights from North Carolina and surrounding states (i.e., South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky). With the close proximity of the playwrights to Concord, it is OCT’s hope that the playwrights will be able to see their creations come to life!

Over the years, the festival has been fine-tuned to where it’s now a well-oiled machine. According to Rassler, “We start by coming up with a theme, advertising submission opportunities for all, collecting those submissions, reading them (as a committee), and then voting on our favorites. We then assemble a director’s team and have auditions.”

Selecting the Plays

All received scripts are blind submissions, allowing the play-reading committee to judge the plays based solely on their merit without any bias toward the playwright’s identity. This impartial process ensures fairness and allows for a wide range of voices to be heard. The committee has a few weeks to read and score them. After all of the scripts have been read and scored individually, the committee discusses the scripts together and vote on the six or seven that will make up the festival. According to Rassler, “Sometimes fairly high scorers are rejected because of content or technical demands, but mostly the best win.”

This method of selection has led to an eclectic mix of works each year, drawing from both veteran and new playwrights alike. Last year, the festival received a record 57 submissions, illustrating the growing interest in the event and the caliber of talent it attracts.

Each season, Rassler comes up with a new theme, which guides the submissions. When asked how she comes up with, she replied, “I ask friends and colleagues for ideas first, then percolate for a week or so. I look for things out in the world, inspiration on TV, the community, the world. Many times, as this year, it’s just random things that somebody says.”

Previous themes, such as "Underneath," “At the Movies,” and "Thrift Shop," have inspired a wide array of creative interpretations, allowing playwrights to explore both serious and comedic topics with equal energy. From intimate dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies, each festival offers a unique blend of genres, ensuring that no two editions are the same.

This year’s theme is broader as the only requirements are that each play’s set must include two chairs, a table, and a lamp. Additionally, a key must be included as a prop in some fashion in each play.

A Hub for Local Talent

The 10-Minute Play Festival is particularly important to the local community, as it provides a platform for regional playwrights to showcase their work. While the festival has grown in size and reputation over the years, the heart of its mission remains centered on providing a stage for voices from Concord and the surrounding areas.

Moreover, the festival invites audiences to witness the talents of both seasoned actors and newcomers. The rapid rehearsal and performance process forces both actors and directors to think on their feet, often leading to memorable, spontaneous moments. These experiences are not just enriching for the performers but also for the audience, who can enjoy the energy and enthusiasm of live theater at its finest.

A Focus on Community Impact

As with many grassroots arts initiatives, the 10-Minute Play Festival at OCT is as much about community as it is about art. The festival serves as an important fundraiser for the theater, generating revenue that supports not just the festival itself but also the theater’s other programs and outreach efforts. The festival’s ability to draw in a broad audience—both seasoned theater lovers and newcomers—helps strengthen OCT’s connection to the local community and ensure the theater's sustainability.

The festival’s intimate setting in the Black Box allows for a unique connection between the performers and the audience. This smaller-scale environment creates a sense of shared experience, where each laugh, gasp, or cheer from the crowd feels personal and immediate. For both the audience and the performers, the festival is a celebration of the connection that theater can foster.

This Year’s Festival Lineup

After all the scripts were read and selected, and auditions held, here are the seven plays chosen this year to be a part of the 10-Minute Play Festival and the playwright, director, and actors.

“Budget Cuts”

Written by Linda Smith
Directed by Denise McKercher

Cast
Detective ….. Andy Rassler
Mrs. Farthingham ….. Linda Smith
Officer ….. Marc Anderson
Production Assistant ….. Meri Anne Flagg
Stage Crew A ….. Shalil Hogue
Stage Crew B …..Zyalon Simmon

…

“A New Lease on Love”

Written and Directed by May May

Cast
Leah ….. Allison Graham
Kaelee ….. Chrissy Nefe
Agatha ….. Marnie Stoker

…

“The Door”

Written by Aarja Day
Directed by Lynn Fesenmeyer-Johnson

Cast
Bella …..Keitt Courtney
Ava … Harmoni Simmon
Luna ….. Denise McKercher

…

“Nothing Really Matters”

Written by Andy Rassler
Directed by Berryl Torrence

Cast
Mia Joyson ….. Melissa Steele
Captain Hooke ….. Roger Watson
Johnny Jake ….. Trevor May

…

“Future Proof”

Written by Greg Akerman
Directed by Marc Anderson

Cast
One ….. Christine Hull
Two ….. Nicole Cunningham

…

“Settling Up”

Written by Kimberly Saunders
Directed by Chrissy Nefe

Cast
Lena ….. Nicole Cunningham
Cal ….. Trevor May
Izzy ….. Allison Graham

…

“Unlocking Potential”

Written and Directed by Kara Barnette

Cast
Parker ….. Kimberly Saunders
Alex ….. Carmen Smith
Quinn ….. Kelly Durden

For those interested in experiencing a unique and dynamic celebration of the arts, the Old Courthouse Theatre’s 10-Minute Play Festival is an event not to be missed. Whether you're a longtime theatergoer or new to the stage, this festival promises an unforgettable experience that demonstrates the power of short-form theater to entertain, inspire, and connect us all.

For more information about the 10-Minute Play Festival, click here.