Last Updated on April 18, 2024, 9:19 AM | Published: April 18, 2024
OKLAHOMA CITY — Local theater artists and patrons packed the house Monday, ready for Ten Minute Plays 2024.
Theatre Crude’s Spring series, ”Unconventional Shorts,” continued with the second of three installments. Ten-Minute Plays is a night of brand-new, not yet staged plays. The new works are written specifically for the series and debut during the one-night event. They are presented in a directed reading style to a lively audience at OK Cider Co.
Before the evening, Theatre Crude directors Jenny and Adam Brand provided contributing playwrights with a writing prompt. The playwrights were also tasked with incorporating a prop into each new work. Each writer then took one week to write a play that included those elements and fit within a ten-minute or less timeframe.
The results of the creative prompts and tight deadlines provided five new plays in the style of “fringe theater”; the works are unpredictable yet engaging. The shorts are just brief enough and don’t present a daunting commitment for performers or viewers.
New prompt — new material!
This year’s writing prompt was “In this economy!?” and the required prop was a small golden statue in the style of a movie award show trophy.
The original new works, which were all written by Oklahoma City-based writers, were also read on stage by local performers. Those inclined to participate as both Writer and Performer were allowed to apply for both roles. Writers who also performed did so by reading roles in plays by the other artists, so the casts and writing credits rotated throughout the night.
The new titles presented to the audience included “The Actor”, “You Did It! Aren’t You Tired?”, “Toxic Male Rehab”, “Silas Peacock’s Acting Trophy” and “Mountaine’er Do Wells.” The genres ranged from realistic and reflective to comedic, abstract, and poignant.
“Toxic Male Rehab” by Holly McNatt was a crowd favorite that drew big laughs in the style of a fictional game show. Hostess Jessica Carabajal, a local performer who brings flair and fun to every role, ruthlessly berated two game show contestants. Carabajal and the two unlucky participants, portrayed by Rick Cheek and Christopher Shultz, had fun with the material and even brought the audience into the performance.
All the offerings in Theatre Crude’s lineup of Unconventional Shorts offer a night of low stakes with high payoffs. Patrons can come in and see a live performance, enjoy a drink or two in the family-friendly OK Cider Co, and watch a new play written and performed by some of OKC’s best local entertainers.
And no matter how the material comes across, whether brilliant or cringe-inducing, it’ll be over in ten minutes. Likewise, contributors get the chance to flex some creative muscles without the headache of months of rehearsals in advance.
Anyone who has considered writing a new play, performing, or diving into the theater community is welcome to apply. The series provides a great opportunity for those who are dipping their toe in the creative waters.
Last installment coming soon
The last installment of the Unconventional Shorts is coming up soon.
This final performance of the series is titled “Five Fifths” and consists of one iconic movie and five groups of performers:
- Each group is given a fifth of a movie script.
- The groups are tasked with creating a singular scene from that section of script.
- The five groups will work independently, then come together to perform all the scenes in sequential order.
- This year’s movie is Back to the Future, the Theatre Crude team announced on Monday. Registration opens soon for this event, which occurs on May 20th at OK Cider Co.
Fringe Festival on the way
Theatre Crude’s main annual event, Fringe Festival, is held in October.
Registration is open through May 20th for those wishing to apply for consideration in this year’s lineup.
Performers from around the country, as well as local acts, are featured every year in this festival-style performance. The festival runs October 3-12, 2024. This year’s venue will be announced soon. Visit Theatrecrude.org for more information.
Adrienne Proctor is a theater and arts writer in Oklahoma City. She's been contributing to the arts reporting space since 2017.
