Saturday, September 19, 2026
on the Coach House Stage
Ontario’s most exciting stage for short-form theatre—17 plays, 10 minutes each, all competing live in one dynamic day.
-
NOON
-
2:00 PM
-
4:00 PM
About the 10-Minute Play Competition
Competitors present a stage-ready theatre production in front of a live audience, which is then scored by a panel of adjudicators. The three best theatre productions are awarded cash prizes.
Prizes
🥇GOLD $1,000
🥈SILVER $500
🥉BRONZE $250
✍️ Martin Smith Award in Original Playwriting $250
Block 1
NOON
-
![Ring Tone]()
Ring Tone
by Bruce Kane
Karen Trick as Karen
Aaron Gorlick as LenKaren is an actress who treats every encounter as though it were a performance. Len is simply trying to enjoy a coffee on a park bench. The encounter starts with a glance and then, almost as if she wills it to happen, Karen's cell phone begins to ring.
Director: Ted McLauchlin
Sound: Neil Williams
Genre: Comedy
Setting: A park bench.One Act Players Community Theatre
@oapoxford -
![ROSIE]()
ROSIE
by Suki Cheung
Camila Leon as Rosie
Fadi Dalloul as Leo
Gursimar Singh as AhanROSIE follows a grief-stricken young man, Leo, who haunts the platform where his fiancée took her life. When the station manager, Ahan, discovers that Rosie's ghost is returning to collect the yellow roses Leo leaves behind, he becomes an unlikely intermediary between the living and the dead.
Director: Suki Cheung
Genre: Drama
Setting: A train station.78 Productions
@78productionsca -
![STAGE DOORS]()
STAGE DOORS
by Nicole Smith
Katie Neil as Nance
Robert Free as Vito
Gary Seibert as EmmitStage Doors is a 10-minute play about, well, stage doors. Nance needs one built and she goes to her handy man partner Vito and asks him to build it. As she begins to describe what she needs, he acts like it is an impossible task, offering her nothing in terms of assistance to describe, and a big argument ensues. Following the argument, Nance tells her playwright friend Emmit about the play she wants to write and how when she tried to describe it to Vito they argued. Nance explains in grave detail her idea but when she tells Emmit about the argument, he insists that the argument is actually the real play.
Director: Nicole Smith
Genre: Comedy
Setting: IndoorsRose Garden Productions Company
-
![A Good Death]()
A Good Death
by Marissa Slaven
Mia Laister Peck as Dr. Julie
Michael Donaldson as Marc
Craig Cook as DucheneThe play takes place in 3 acts. A palliative physician discovers her patient is a convicted pedophile. She struggles with the ethics of managing his suffering and discusses it with the hospital chaplain. The chaplain also struggles with decisions about how to respond to this patient who brings up past trauma for him.
Director: Marissa Slaven
Genre: Drama
Setting: Present Day, Hospital -
![Polka Dots & Purple Shoes]()
Polka Dots & Purple Shoes
by Madison Farkas
Starring: Madison Farkas
A five-year-old girl contemplates a trauma that shaped her young life.
Director: Madison Farkas
Genre: Drama
Setting: A dayhome, present day@madisonfarkasauthor
-
![Classroom]()
Classroom
by Michael Brown
Anastasia Saluk as Samantha
Michael Brown as Mr. HortonA retiring teacher encounters a young night school student trying to work her way up from the streets. He has a proposition that will change their lives.
Director: Michael Brown
Sound: Val King
Genre: Drama
Setting: A night school classroom
Block 2
2PM
-
![The Transfer]()
The Transfer
by Kyla McCall
Piper Distel as Cassandra
Kyla McCall as BethA niece & aunt meet in a hallway. At first, their conversation sounds they're in an office job with promotions & demotions. But it's quickly learned that these people are both in spirit form. One has just died & the other is on her way to be reincarnated. It is a discussion on the fear of the afterlife, lost loved ones & the constant circle of life that offers hope that our energy does not die; it just changes form.
Director: Whitney Alexander
Genre: Drama
Setting: A hallway in Purgatory -
![The Changed Man]()
The Changed Man
by Beverley Heilbron
Abigail Maher as Red
John Edgerton Smith as WolfAdult Red Ridinghood encounters Mr. Wolf in a clearing in the woods. He is putting up Vote Wolf for Mayor signs. Given Wolf's past, Red confronts him on his platform for being Mayor. Wolf tries to convince her he is a Changed Man. Is he?
Director: Beverley Heilbron
Choreographer: Beverley Heilbron
Genre: Comedy
Setting: A clearing in the woods -
![Confessions at the Broketown Pub]()
Confessions at the Broketown Pub
by Rose Divecha
Suzie Bertling as Anne
Lexie Miller as Server
Lisa Miller as SusanSusan and Anne have both been through rough times. Newly acquainted friends, they meet up at the local bar and soon discover that although they come from different socio-economic backgrounds, they have more in common than outward appearances would suggest. This play demonstrates the connections made through grief, trauma and the burden of motherly guilt, and reveals the healing power of friendship, at any stage of life.
Director: Rose Divecha
Genre: Drama
Setting: Working class bar. Present day. -
![The Blood Countess]()
The Blood Countess
by Duncan Graham
Song by Lori DistelDeanna Stevens is Elizabeth Bathory
A Retelling of the Infamous Elizabeth Bathory, in her own words.
Director: Duncan Graham
Genre: Drama, Horror
Setting: Early 1600's, Hungary -
![Taste of Revenge]()
Taste of Revenge
by Madelyn Marcellin & Olivia Haas
Jacklyn Sparrow as Ivy & Ida
Joel Froese as Sammy & Edward
Owen Neudorf as Louis & Billy
Shaelyn Rodermond as MarianThis play is set in the 1920's at a Half Moon Club. A flapper was mysteriously murdered, under unknown circumstances. The owner of the club and 2 members rush to find the culprit before the police find out and shut down their illegal club. They desperately look for clues, trying to track down the killer.
Director: Madelyn Marcellin & Olivia Haas
Choreographer: Sarah Acheampong
Genre: Comedy
Setting: 1920s
Block 3
4PM
-
![Cabin Fever]()
Cabin Fever
by Wendy Oughtred & Jesse Robertson
with Leslie Gray and Christopher Gray
Ben and Grace have been snowed in at their rental cabin in Northern Ontario for 4 weeks. There is no phone, no internet, no TV, just a single DVD movie. As they wait for spring thaw, Ben proposes a game that leads to an unexpected conclusion.
Director: Wendy Oughtred
Genre: Comedy
Setting: Present day -
![A Husband's Secrets]()
A Husband's Secrets
by Julie Goudie
Julie Goudie as Gail
Rachel Estok as BettyWhen Gail finds her husband murdered she enlisted the help of Betty, a young detective. The two review Gail's husband's life and try to narrow down the list of suspects. With too many suspects to count and a man no one seemed to like. Who could the real killer possibly be...
Director, Lighting & Sound: Eric Goudie
Genre: Murder Mystery
Setting: A neutral space, interiorGrinder Productions
facebook.com/grinderproductions
@goudieeric -
![The Judgment]()
The Judgment
by Alexander Nonaka Galant
Ted Ambrose as Archangel Michael
Susan Ambrose Phanuel as Angel of Judgment
Kirk Teeple as Ruprecht
Carmen Gillespie as LuciferIn the afterlife a man must be punished for his crimes. However, his crimes are so terrible that even Hell doesn't want him. And Heaven and Hell must reach a compromise.
Director: Alexander Galant
Genre: Dark comedy
Setting: A thousand years ago in PurgatoryMaster of Darkness
@alexandergalant
alexandergalant.com -
![Foolish Coin]()
Foolish Coin
by Diane Evans
Two teenagers: Theresa Havison, a former member of a wealthy family who has defected from it alongside her mother, and Sylvester Stark, a refugee who has immigrated to Canada after the destruction of his former home, meet with each other in the midst of a valuable coin stuck inside a large boulder.
Director: Diane Evans
Genre: Comedy
Setting: Mohawk Park -
![Hellward Bound]()
Hellward Bound
by Eric Goudie
TBA as Vincent
TBA as Nadia
Nadia Klein as Belle
Emily Youers as ArielThree refugees escaping an oppressive regime wonder if they are alive or dead, and what their future holds. Their chauffeur may hold the answers, and more.
Director & Deck: Mya Leworthy
Sound: Eric Goudie
Genre: Satire
Setting: A neutral space, interiorGrinder Productions
facebook.com/grinderproductions
@goudieeric -
![The Middle]()
The Middle
by Tom Slater
Jaiden French as Meg
Diem Morriswala as EricMeg and Eric have finally found some time alone at his grandmother's (Nan) cottage in the Kawarthas. Things are going great until Meg questions the plans the two of them have for going to college together. The conversation starts off innocently enough, but things soon turn more complicated in more ways than one.
Director: Tom Slater
Sound: Tom Slater
Genre: Serio-comedy
Setting: A cottage in the Kawarthas, the present
Awards
Ceremony
🥇
After you’ve watched the plays (all of them of course), join us on the Main Stage to see who takes home the prizes!
Sat. Sept. 19 @ 5:45PM
on the Main Stage
Wondering what happened last year?
The Artists Who Make It Happen
Meet the Organizing Team
-
![]()
Steph Christiaens
Executive Producer & Adjudicator
Steph is a professional actress and has been performing for over 25 years all across southwestern Ontario. Aside from performing she produces, casts and AD's for Indy film and theatre. Steph is one of the co-creators of the 10-Minute Play Competition, and is excited to see it become Ontario’s premier short play competition.
-
![]()
Susan Dignan
Head Adjudicator
For over 50 years, Susan has been involved in every aspect of theatre production. In addition to loving having been a teacher of dramatic arts, Susan enjoys directing, polishing, and adjudication. Currently she is vice president of the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts Foundation.
-
![]()
Martin Smith
Founding Producer (In Memoriam)
Remembered for helping shape the heart and soul of the 10-Minute Play Competition. Martin’s vision, leadership, and encouragement inspired countless local theatre creators to participate, take creative risks, and produce bold, original work.
-
![]()
Jessica Hamilton
Head, Lighting Tech
Jessica has dabbled in most aspects of the theatre including tech, writing, directing, and acting. Some memorable projects were playing Becca in Rabbit Hole (PPT), Kate in The Taming of the Shrew (AMP), and directing All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and House for Sale (IT Productions). When she isn’t telling people “sorry I can’t, I have rehearsal” you can find her convincing teenagers that they like math and working with theatre kids at Pauline Johnson CVS.
-
![]()
Todd Lucek
Head, Sound Tech
Todd has been running sound for Paris Performers' Theatre since 2015's Love, Loss and What I Wore. Todd has also created soundscapes for Simcoe Little Theatre's production of Waiting For Godot, Cambridge Community Players' production of Emerge. Most recently, he ran sound for Hamilton Theatre Inc. production of the musical The Prom.
-
![Connor McGrath]()
Connor McGrath
Host & Front of House
Connor McGrath is a local artist that has been involved with the theatre community for 18 years. He is thrilled to come out of hiatus to be a part of a festival that celebrates creatives in all walks of life pursuing their passions.
He is a graduate of Sheridan College who loves the performing arts and he sorely misses his good friend Martin.
-
![Bobby Robert]()
Bobby Robert
Team Coordinator
An accomplished actor, director, coach, and all-round theatre enthusiast and supporter, Bobby is dedicated to enriching the performing arts community in Brant region. She is also involved in local strategic development of theatre and performing arts in the region, especially in helping to secure an arts centre facility for the community.
-
![]()
Wiktor Kulinski
Theatre & Performance Art Coordinator, GRAF Committee
Wiktor is Chair of Grand Culture, and co-creator of the 10-Minute Play Competition. He has formally studied playwriting, dramaturgy, and direction, and taught undergraduate students in Theatre and Performance Studies. He loves short theatre because it’s like a pressure cooker for incredible creativity.
FAQs
-
The 10-Minute Play Competition is a high-energy adjudicated showcase of original and adapted short plays, each 10 minutes or less. It brings together emerging and established theatre artists from across Ontario to compete for top honours. All plays are performed live before a public audience and a panel of adjudicators. At the end of the day, cash prizes are awarded to the top three productions based on artistic merit, execution, and audience impact.
-
Each block features 7 plays, performed consecutively without intermission.
-
Approximately 90 minutes, including transitions between plays.
-
Tickets can be purchased online via GuestList (link at the top and bottom of this page). You’ll also need to add a FREE DAY PASS for Saturday, September 20, to access the festival grounds and theatre area.
-
If tickets are still available, yes. However, blocks often sell out in advance, so we strongly recommend booking ahead.
-
We encourage all patrons to arrive at least 5 minutes before showtime. Latecomers may not be admitted, and unclaimed seats may be released to walk-up guests.
-
Content varies. While most plays are suitable for general audiences, some may explore mature themes. We encourage discretion for younger attendees.
-
No—seating is general admission within the Coach House. Arrive early to secure your preferred seat.
-
Yes. The Coach House is wheelchair accessible. If you have specific needs, please contact us in advance so we can assist.
-
Yes. Free parking is available on-site and in nearby lots. A shuttle service is available from overflow parking areas.
-
Absolutely! Each block features a different lineup of plays and we encourage you to see them all. Note: tickets must be purchased separately for each block.