All four shows of the Ten Minute Play Festival at the Conard Black Box were sold out, and featured the combined talents of 90 actors and directors.

By Jennifer Schlichting. Photos by Nathan Souza

The Ten Minute Play Festival at West Hartford’s Conard High School is an opportunity for SPS (advanced acting) students to showcase their abilities, and this year it took place Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 18-21, in the Black Box Theater.

Each student wrote, cast, and directed their own play, which should fit within the 10-minute time frame given to them. Auditioners for the play came in and performed the given script, and the student directors chose the students that they felt would fit their play best.

Conard Ten Minute Play Festival. Photo credit: Nathan Souza

Many of those auditioning are not acting students themselves and do not understand how the Black Box works. So, the student directors must tackle the challenge that is directing students who don’t understand the mechanics of acting. 

Speaking with first-year director Lilah Krajc, she mentioned how enjoyable the whole experience was, exclaiming that she “really enjoyed working with new people and being able to have my story come to life.” Lilah loves acting and has been involved with Conard’s theatre program since freshman year. “Being able to teach someone else and give them an opportunity to perform meant a lot to [her],” she told me.

Conard Ten Minute Play Festival. Photo credit: Nathan Souza

According to Lilah, even with some of the problems that arose, she never felt alone, always having older actors, teacher Hunter Parker, and assistant director Nathan Souza to rely on made the experience so much easier to handle.

The Ten Minute Play Festival is not only an amazing opportunity that Conard gives to acting students to practice what they were taught, but it also reflects how interconnected the Conard Theatre program is, and how much the individuals involved lean on each other for support. 

I was part of the cast of two plays as well, and like other cast members, I had so much fun being a part of it all. The directors were very understanding of any conflicts with their rehearsals, or with any questions students had, especially since they were in those same shoes a couple years ago. Also, interacting with the other cast members gave me an opportunity to get to know my peers that I otherwise would’ve never known.

Many of those in the cast return each year, even if they aren’t actively involved with the theatre program; they just enjoy the experience overall. The plays themselves were very well written, and comedic. Being involved in the plays was amusing, though attempting not to laugh while saying your lines was a considerable challenge. 

Not only did the director and cast members enjoy the Ten Minute Play Festival, but most importantly, the audience members did as well; the laughs from those watching could be heard all the way backstage.

Many members of the audience liked how quick the plays were because it didn’t give them a chance to be bored.

Audience member Abby Mari complimented the plays themselves, not only because of the humorous aspects, but also “there were lots of shocking lines and plot twists to keep the audience engaged.”

Many audience members noticed the lack of anxiety in the atmosphere that many high school plays tend to have. Due to the un-seriousness of the plays and the festival, actors were comfortable, and able to completely express themselves in their characters.

Conard Ten Minute Play Festival. Photo credit: Nathan Souza

From the challenge of directing an inexperienced cast to the roaring laughter from the audience, the Ten Minute Play Festival was an incredible success. It displayed the talents and leadership of the SPS students, fostered collaboration between performers, and proved how much a 10-minute script can truly deliver to its audience.

The Ten Minute Play Festival is an annual highlight that allows everyone, on stage or in the audience, to experience the joy and supportive nature of the Conard Theatre program.

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