UNLV to host 10-minute plays

This year's Ten Minute Play Festival, titled Gentle Reader, offers student playwrights the chance to gain at least ten of their 15 minutes of fame.

Opening today at the Harris Theatre on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus, the themed festival celebrates the advice of the Judith Martin character Miss Manners, known for giving often comical advice about social graces and etiquette.

All eight of the graduate students enrolled in the theater program are scheduled to have their works performed. KC Davis, director of graduate playwriting at UNLV, said the idea of a themed performance creates a more cohesive overall production.

"We've tried to have a theme each year so it appears to be an evening of theater as opposed to many different works," Davis said. "Each play is based on one of the letters to Miss Manners."

Some of the plays that will be performed include Stan Waring's "A Work in Progress," Ross Howard's "Rules of Assortment" and "Ginnifer," by Cody Tucker.

The concept of the 10-minute play has existed for about 15 years. Davis said the length of the performances not only serves the playwright, but also the talents of the production and design teams.

"Since there is all this opportunity they should have a fistful of good plays," Davis said. "The 10-minute play is a really good calling card for people who want to see your work. You can also write a 10-minute play overnight. For teaching purposes, 10-minute plays are really good tools."

Davis also said the subject matter of this year's festival is the essence of drama.

"What you realize is that drama is what happens when etiquette doesn't work," he said. "Miss Manners always discusses how to avoid drama in that sense, and these plays show what happens when social graces are violated, or what are the rules for social behavior and what happens when those rules are broken."

Performances begin tonight and run through Saturday at 8 p.m. each night. A matinee performance also will be shown at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $3 and are on sale at the Performing Arts Center Box Office. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested can call 895-2787.


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