By Tina Hawley
Want to get your theatre fix, but worried about your kids’ (or your) short attention span? Never fear, New Works Ten is here! Utah New Works Theatre Project presents for your pleasure eight brand-new ten-minute theatre productions–the finalists in their second annual ten-minute play competition. These theatrical sound bites range from dramatic to comedic, thought-provoking to heart-wrenching, and all of them are premiering now through Saturday at the Hive Collaborative right here in Provo, Utah.
The Hive is a brand-new venue, opened just last September, and is dedicated to giving new productions a place to shine on the Provo stage. New Works Ten is their third production; the first two were both world premiers. For all these fancy-sounding words, the venue itself is downright homey: compact, rustic, and with seriously comfortable seats (the most important part, let’s be honest). Mark Wiesenberg and Heather Stringham from the UNWTP Board of Directors introduced the show with a warm and welcoming attitude that made me feel like I was sitting in a room full of family.
Without giving too much away about the great plays in store for you, I’d like to emphasize that these finalists have definitely earned their place in this contest. I write flash fiction stories (usually 1000 words or less) in addition to theatre reviews, so I’m familiar with the short story format. I was all-out impressed by the talent with which these playwrights each told complete and emotionally evocative stories within the ten-minute time limit. Here’s a short teaser for each:
Performed as a staged reading, Burnt Demon Stick by Bryan Stubbles tells of two friends messing around next to a river, until Rik is abruptly forced to confront one of his deepest fears. (Featuring Noah Kershisnik and Abby Smith, directed by NWTP)
Courtesy of In Lieu of Flowers by Adam Taylor, people on the fringe of a funeral are brought together by their shared grief–or rather, the lack thereof. (Featuring Jonathan Bradley and Heather Oberlander, directed by Oberlander)
In Teller’s Taxi by Caleb Andrus, Nico is shocked when he wakes up in a taxi with a curiously knowledgeable driver, bound for a destination that will change his life. (Featuring Trevor Newsome and Archelaus Crisanto, directed by Noah Kershisnik and Abby Smith)
A mother patiently works to reconnect with her imaginative daughter in Robotrix and Silvia by Deirdre Nickel, but there’s a deeper emotion behind Robotrix’s silver facade. (Featuring Teresa Gashler and Ariah Gashler, directed by Jacom Clarkson)
A celebration of gothic culture at its hilarious worst, Blackout by Georgia Buchert brings to life the “darkest” mistakes possible in online dating. (Featuring Scott Stringham, Heather Stringham, and Sierra Crawford, directed by Heather Stringham)
Employee of the Month by Rachel Bublitz: It’s Career Day, the perfect time for a female insurance agent to get an award in front of her daughter . . . but it’s not for the reason she thinks. (Featuring Dianna Graham, Caden Mustoe, Jennifer Mustoe, and Hannah Mustoe, directed by Samantha Baird)Ever wondered what your future really holds? Dr. Chang’s Magic Cookie Emporium, written and directed by Cody Cutler offers one answer per patron per visit, but Tom is determined to get more than his share. (Featuring Jacob Baird, Zel Bromley, Abby Smith, and Scott Stringham)Last, but very much not least, The Smelling Bee by Scott Stringham and Heather Stringham not only “reeks” of bad puns, but it “nose” it all too well. (Featuring Benjamin Hyde, Josh Kirkman, Eliza Jean, and DJ Stovall, directed by Scott Stringham, assistant directed by Emma Parkinson)
As you can see, there’s a rainbow of styles and stories at work here, and I guarantee something interesting for everyone. The scenery (generously provided by the Hive) was adapted quickly and easily during the transitions. I want to give special thanks to Lighting and Sound Designer Chris Peck, whose pinpoint sound effects and clever choice and cueing of music gave each piece a flavor perfectly fitting its persona.
It’s worth noting that all of the actors, directors, and technical staff had less than a month–in a few cases less than a week!–to put these productions together, and although Burnt Demon Stick was a staged reading, and In Lieu of Flowers was performed with scripts in hand, these rough edges only served to increase my awe at the true potential shining through in spite of them.
Utah New Works Theatre Project’s New Works Ten at the Hive Collaborative in Provo is an opportunity absolutely not to be passed over. The prep time was short, but these eight ten-minute productions are tight, polished, and passionately performed. I gasped, laughed, and sometimes just straight-up didn’t blink in case I missed something amazing. It’s not every day that a previously unsung talent gets to stand in the spotlight. Come and see! Oh, and when you come, don’t forget to hang around after the show for a chance to vote for your new favorite diamond in the rough. The winners will be announced Saturday night.
All plays are primarily appropriate for all ages.
This festival is generously supported by a Provo City Arts RAP Grant.
Utah New Works Theatre Project Presents New Works Ten, a ten-minute play festival
The Hive Collaborative, 591 South 300 West, Provo, Utah 84601
November 14 – 17, 2018, 7:00 PM; Saturday Matinee, 2:00 PM; Winners announced Saturday evening.
Tickets: $10 per person
The Hive Collaborative Facebook Page
New Works Ten Facebook Event
Thank you for that lovely review, Tina! Thanks for enjoying our work, and for sharing the news.
Tina said she was so thrilled with the quality and wished she’d been able to go see the staged readings the night before. Such a great job by all!
~FRRU staff