The 2015 8x10 TheatreFest: Weathervane's Annual Contest and Festival of 10-Minute Plays

Forensics Investigators take on a puzzling murder case which quickly spirals out of control and leads to an unbelievable conclusion. A longtime unhappily married husband and wife are obliged to play “The Happy Couple” when meeting their daughter’s future in-laws. A young man has to face his fears when sheltered in a basement during a tornado with his slightly oddball neighbors.

These were the scenarios of just three of the eight plays which were presented at Weathervane Playhouse on July 10, 11 and 12, 2015, at the fifth annual 8x10 TheatreFest.

All the plays had two things in common — each was 10 minutes long and each featured a hand mirror as a prop. The mirror served as the “inspiration” for this year’s contest. Over 230 plays were submitted to the Weathervane contest, and volunteer judges read and chose the top-eight plays. All finalist playwrights receive at least a $50 prize, and the top three — as determined by audience vote — receive $150, $250 and $350, respectively.

Audience members at this past weekend's performances also got to vote for the special prop “inspiration” for next year’s competition.

“Six of the eight playwrights this year traveled to Weathervane to see their plays come to life,” says 8x10 TheatreFest Coordinator Eileen Moushey. “And that was part of our excitement, too. Plus, it’s always great fun for the audiences to be able to choose the winners!”

THE VOTES HAVE BEEN COUNTED, AND THE WINNERS ARE:

First-Place
Black Friday by Jennifer Tromble of North Tonawanda, NY
Directed by Ian Haberman
Featuring Meg Hopp, Alex Nine, and Rachel Gehlert

Second-Place
Passing Through by Chris George of Houston, TX
Directed by Melanie YC Pepe and Brandi Eaton
Featuring Adam Alderson and Eula "Bill" Roberts

Third-Place
One Man Show by Jason K. Melby of Van Nuys, CA
Directed by Brian Westerley
Featuring Scott K. Davis, Alex J. Nine, and Meg Hopp

The Five Runners-Up

Make-up by Joe Lauinger of Ossining, NY
Directed by Brian Westerley
Featuring Richard Worswick and Sue Jeromson

Mr. Bassett by Gerald Williams of Vancouver, BC
Directed by Adam and Patti Alderson
Featuring Brian Westerley and Beth Geiser

My Second Play by Heath Robertson of Fairbanks, AK
Directed by Meg Hopp
Featuring Kyla Williger, Jay Sigler, and Mason Shuman

Ride Share by Stanley Brown of West Hollywood, CA
Directed by Richard Worswick
Featuring Tom Barnes and Amanda Layman

Sirens by Suzanne Hodsden of Akron, OH
Directed by Scott K. Davis
Featuring Jo McGarvey, Josh Rowe, and Eula "Bill" Roberts

AND THE PROP CHOSEN FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL 8X10 THEATREFEST IS...

An Envelope of Cash!