What has ghosts, surprises, criminal tools, nurses, and a swan driving a golf cart? Weathervane’s annual 8×10 TheatreFest of course!  The 7^th annual celebration of 10-minute plays received 142 submissions from all over the United States and six countries including Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.  The final eight scripts for the 2017 8×10 TheatreFest have been selected to be performed on the Weathervane stage July 13-16.  The plays include:

Ghost of a Chance by Tamara Benson of Strasburg, OH
Directed by Brian Westerley and Harriet DeVeto

Good Surprises by Elizabeth Mowers of Mogadore, OH
Directed by Bill Morgan and Samantha Gates

Good Things by Peter J Stavros of Louisville, KY
Directed by Meg Hopp/Melanie YC Pepe

Magical Thinking by Joel Alden of Richmond, CA
Directed by Joshua Larkin

Psych Nick by Scott Lummer of Santa Rosa, CA
Directed by Kyla Williger 

The Blue Album of Scott Mullen of North Hollywood, CA
Directed by Scott K. Davis

The Emperor’s New Car by Barry Wood of Navenby, Licolnshire, UK
Directed by Jay Sigler

The Unfortunate Teller by Jeff Dunne of Eldersburg, MD
Directed by April Deming

“Our 8×10 TheatreFest gives us the opportunity to create something new.  Audiences who come to see these plays will experience eight, ten-minute plays that no one has ever staged before — that no one has seen before,”  Said Melanie Pepe, Weathervane’s Artistic Director. “This year’s plays are incredibly eclectic.  This festival tells stories that will intrigue, inspire and entertain.”

One twist in Weathervane’s contest is the use of a special prop, which must be featured in each of the entries.  This year’s prop was a deck of Tarot cards.  The prop is picked by the previous year’s audience.

All eight finalist plays will be presented at each of the festival’s four performances: Thursday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 16 at 2:30 pm. Audiences will vote to select the first, second and third place winners of the festival.  They also will have the opportunity to help select the 2018 festival’s inspirational prop!  Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the box office at 330-836-2626 or going to www.weathervaneplayhouse.com

The Sunday matinee will be followed by a reception and the announcement of the winners.

Congratulations to all of the finalists and thank you to all who shared their talents and enthusiasm!

Weathervane Playhouse provides high-quality live theater with volunteer artists, designers, and technicians under professional direction, delivers education and training in theater arts and appreciation, and engages and entertains its audience to enrich the quality of life in northeast Ohio.