Palace Theatre Hosts Second Annual Short Play Festival at Rex Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire
The Palace Theatre is holding its second annual short play festival at The Rex Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Friday and Saturday. Six original plays by aspiring playwrights, selected from more than 80 submissions nationwide, will be performed. Judges will select the best play, and the audience will choose a crowd favorite.
The Boston GlobeThe Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire, is hosting its second annual short play festival at The Rex Theatre. The event features six original short plays by aspiring playwrights, performed on Friday and Saturday. Each play runs for 10 to 15 minutes, with performances repeated both nights.
Organizers reported that the selected plays were chosen from more than 80 submissions sent from across the country. The festival includes judging by a panel to determine the best play, alongside an audience vote for a crowd favorite. Winners will be announced at the end of the two-day event.
Knight, a 25-year-old actor who grew up in New Hampshire and now lives in New York City, is one of the participants.
She refined her play, "This Kind of Thing," in a playwriting workshop last year at her mentor's urging before submitting it. The play centers on two women who connect in a subway after one witnesses an assault by the other. Knight drew inspiration from Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu's approach to challenges.
The story highlights moments of solidarity among strangers in difficult situations. Knight stated she is excited to have her play performed and seen by audiences.
William Zolla, a Manchester resident, is returning for his second year in the festival.
," presents a comedic exploration of family dynamics around an aging mother's move to an assisted living facility. Zolla noted that the mother character is partly inspired by his own mother, who plans to attend with friends from her senior living facility.
The other plays include "Kierkegaard’s Gun" by Andy Treusch, "Special Delivery" by Margaret Berger, "The Dinosaur Age" by Bruce Deveau, and "STD" by Michele Markarian.
Zolla expressed hope that his mother would enjoy the performance.
the festival are priced at $30 per person, with $15 for students.
The event provides an opportunity for playwrights to see their works staged and for audiences to engage with new theater. The Palace Theatre organizes the festival as part of its programming in New Hampshire.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- Friday and Saturday
Six short plays are performed at The Rex Theatre during the festival.
1 sourceThe Boston Globe - End of two-day festival
Judges select the best play and audience chooses the crowd favorite.
1 sourceThe Boston Globe - Prior to festival
Six plays are selected from more than 80 submissions nationwide.
1 sourceThe Boston Globe
Potential Impact
- 01
Selected playwrights gain stage production experience from the festival.
- 02
Winners receive recognition from judges and audience votes.
- 03
Audience members view new original works during the two-day event.
Transparency Panel
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