Theatre Addresses Scarcity of Roles for Women

The Department of Theatre presents the third annual IN 10 Festival, featuring new theatrical works for young actresses and all audiences, including the winning play of UMBC's IN10 International Short Play Competition, by Francesca Sanders, a work by IN10 finalist Shirley King, and the world premiere of two commissioned short plays by renowned playwrights Tina Howe and Naomi Wallace.

Inaugurated in 2006, the annual IN10 International Play Competition seeks to address the scarcity of strong roles for young women in contemporary American plays. By creating an international competition for 10-minute long plays that feature solid acting opportunities for young actresses, the Department of Theatre hopes to help commence a new era in contemporary playwriting. The winner is awarded a $1,000 cash prize and performances at the Festival. Additionally, each year the IN10 Festival and International Play Competition commissions a new work by a noted playwright.

The winner of the 2008 IN10 Competition is Francesca Sanders, whose work, The Rudy, will be staged along with the work of another finalist, Markers by Shirley King. Directors will include UMBC theatre professors Alan Kreizenbeck, Xerxes Mehta, Lynn Watson (chair) and Susan McCully (IN10 founder).

The IN10 Festival will be held March 5-9. Click here for information about the plays, show times and ticket information.

(3/3/08)