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They start flowing into the mailbox at the Sixth Street Theatre in early September each year. More than a hundred scripts from playwrights across the country and around the world are sent to the theater each fall in hopes that they will be selected for inclusion in the theater's Snowdance 10-Minute Comedy Festival. The festival, which will celebrate its fourth season in Racine next month, is a performance competition in which 10 to 12 very short comedies are presented together on each night of a four-week run. Audiences cast their votes for their favorite comedy and, at the end of the run, the votes are tallied and a "Best in Snow" is named. The favorites win cash prizes. Before that can happen, however, the Over Our Head Players (the Sixth Street Theatre's resident theater troupe) and other volunteers must read and review all the scripts that are submitted for the competition and decide which ones will become finalists. The reading process, which begins in September and builds with intensity after the Nov. 1 deadline for script submission, is a time-consuming but fun one, says Rich Smith, artistic director of the Over Our Head Players. It is also just one aspect of the creative process that is the Snowdance 10-Minute Comedy Festival. This year's play reading committee consisted
of five people, both from within and outside the theater, according
Smith. He and assistant director, Rick Ditter, read all of the 191
scripts submitted, and each of the rest of the committee read selected
plays and then compared notes. Submissions for Snowdance 2008 came
from 30 states and three countries, and included 15 from Racine
playwrights. "That first year, when so many scripts came in, we all just started reading like crazy," he said. "Over the years we have tweaked the system and each year the process has gotten a little easier." Even before the finalists have been chosen, Smith and crew start auditioning actors/directors for the Snowdance ensemble, which this year consists of ten performers. They are: Barbara Akey, Rick Ditter, Cody A. Ernest, Melissa Hughes Ernest, Brandy Harrell, Zachary Scot Johnson, Jenny Kostreva, Joan Roehre, Ron Schulz and Rich Smith. Directing duties will be shared by Diane Carlson, Sea Daniel, Rick Ditter, Jenny Kostreva, Thomas Novak, Sarah Sellers and Smith. Rather than looking for actors for specific roles, the goal is to assemble a troupe that can handle a variety of characters and situations, as each actor will perform in several of the 10-minute comedies, Smith said. “We are looking for people with guts,” he said. “Anyone who is willing to find a little bit of Will Ferrell in him or herself.” The great sense of timing and improvisational skills that the famous comic actor possesses fit well in a production like Snowdance, he explained. “Since these are all original plays, the actors won’t know anything about their characters until they are given their roles. To be able to step into each situation and pull it off, while making it seem natural, takes guts.” Once the ensemble is formed, rehearsals start with actors and directors spending four to five nights a week at the theater until show time. The rest is up to the audience. Those who buy a ticket cannot only laugh themselves silly, but cast their vote and become part of the process that is the Snowdance 10-Minute Comedy Festival. Just don’t wait too long to do so, as all three previous festivals have played to sold-out audiences. |
If You Go The 2008 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival will run Feb. 1 through 24 at the Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth St., with four weekend show times and bonus shows on Wednesday nights. Tickets are $11 and $14 (depending on performance day) and can be reserved by calling (262) 632-6802. Here’s what you’ll get for your ticket: “Enigmatic Lucidity,” by Len Cuthbert, London, Ontario. A man keeps waking up from a horrible dream only to discover that he’s still dreaming. Or is he? “The Saga of Ginny,” by Ian August, Highland Park, N.J. The story of Ginny’s tragic fall from grace. A hilarious examination of profanity, morality and censorship in today’s society. “Shopko,” by Joe Thompson, Madison. Perry goes shopping for Zingers and that’s exactly what he ends up with. “Shtick Therapy,” by Lori & Marc Barbeau and Jean & John Lowry, Racine. With their marriage on the rocks, Mr. and Mrs. Stick Figure agree to a therapy session with Dr. Shtick, world-renowned stick-figure couples’ therapist. “The Crucifixion of Moe and Ira,” by Lynn-Steven Johanson, Macomb, Ill. A Judean clown and a Samaritan altar-builder make the best out of an otherwise dire day in Golgotha. “Rats,” by Shaun Raviv, Washington, D.C. Rat and Tar debate the morality of grabbing a bite to eat. Behold, the power of cheese! “Yuppies,” by Sean Kenealy, Brooklyn, N.Y. As George and Aaron wait for the train, a woman enters their world and starts a conversation that they won’t soon forget. “Hostage Negotiator,” by Matt Solomon, Madison. Meg brings Andy home to meet her dad. Dad is protective of his daughter in his own unique way. “Second to Last,” by Ignacio Zulueta, Oakland, Calif. Two ambitious astronauts hatch a plot to move up through the ranks of NASA, despite their richly deserved position at the bottom of the talent pool. “Street Music,” Paul Barile, Chicago. When Steve meets Maddy on a blind date, he hears music. |
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RACINE — The work of a group of Racine playwrights is among those chosen by the Racine Over Our Head Players as a finalist for the 2008 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival in February. The play “Shtick Therapy,” written by Lori and Marc Barbeau and Jean and John Lowry, will be one of 10 to compete during the annual event to be held from Feb. 1 to Feb. 24. The play details Mr. and Mrs. Stick Figure’s therapy session with Dr. Shtick, world-renowned stick-figure couples’ therapist. It was one of 15 entrees from Racine authors that the Players received. “We have a number of different types of humor represented by the finalists. Sitcom-style comedy, poignant endings, light romance, twisted viewpoints, dark humor, political statements and classic one-liners will all be part of the evening,” OOHP artistic director Rich Smith said. “Utah has the Sundance, we’re proud Racine now has Snowdance.” The other winning titles and their authors include “Enigmatic Lucidity” by Len Cuthbert, London, Ontario; “The Saga of Ginny” by Ian August, Highland Park, N.J.; “Shopko” by Joe Thompson, Madison; and “Rats” by Shaun Raviv, Washington. |
The finalists also include “The Crucifixion of Moe and Ira” by Lynn-Steven Johanson, Macomb, Ill.; “Yuppies” by Sean Kenealy, Brooklyn, N.Y.; “Hostage Negotiator” by Matt Solomon, Madison; “Second to Last” by Ignacio Zulueta, Oakland, Calif.; and “Toys in the Attic” by Michael Burgan, Chicago. The finalists were chosen from among 182 scripts from 29 states, the District of Columbia and three foreign countries. The festival will run four shows on Saturdays and Sundays along with shows on Wednesdays. Audience members will be able to vote for their favorite individual comedy during the festival. The votes will be tallied throughout the festival and the Best in Snow will be awarded after the final performance on Feb. 24. A cash award of $300 will go to Best in Snow and a $100 award will go to both second and third place. In its 16th year, Over Our Head Players, a nonprofit organization of volunteer talent, operates in the Sixth Street Theatre in Racine. Show reservations can be made by calling (262) 632-6802. |
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Over Our Head Players announced the finalists Friday for its fourth annual Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival, including one play written by authors from Racine. This year's finalists were selected from 182 scripts sent in from 29 states, the District of Columbia, three foreign countries and one U.S. Embassy. The finalists include: Enigmatic Lucidity by Len Cuthbert, London,
Ontario The Saga of Ginny by Ian August, Highland
Park, New Jersey Shopko by Joe Thompson, Madison, Wisconsin Shtick Therapy by Lori & Marc Barbeau
and Jean & John Lowry, Racine, Wisconsin The Crucifixion of Moe and Ira by Lynn-Steven
Johanson, Macomb, Illinois |
Rats by Shaun Raviv, Washington, D.C. Yuppies by Sean Kenealy, Brooklyn, New York Hostage Negotiator by Matt Solomon, Madison,
Wisconsin Second to Last by Ignacio Zulueta, Oakland,
California Toys in the Attic by Michael Burgan, Chicago,
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Over Our Head Players Select Playwriting Contest Finalists November 23, 2007 |
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Racine, Wisconsin The winning titles and their authors: Enigmatic Lucidity by Len Cuthbert, London,
Ontario The Saga of Ginny by Ian August, Highland
Park, New Jersey Shopko by Joe Thompson, Madison, Wisconsin
Shtick Therapy by Lori & Marc Barbeau
and Jean & John Lowry, Racine, Wisconsin The Crucifixion of Moe and Ira by Lynn-Steven
Johanson, Macomb, Illinois Rats by Shaun Raviv, Washington, D.C. Yuppies by Sean Kenealy, Brooklyn, New York
Hostage Negotiator by Matt Solomon, Madison,
Wisconsin Second to Last by Ignacio Zulueta, Oakland,
California Street Music by Paul Barile, Chicago, Illinois
The Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival is a competition of original 10 minute comedies. In the ultimate interactive experience, the audience can vote for the production they enjoyed the most. The votes will be tallied throughout the four weekend festival run, and the Snowdance “Best in Snow” will be awarded after the final performance on February 24th. |
A cash award of $300.00 goes to “Best in Snow”, with a $100.00 award going to both second and third place. OOHP presents Snowdance February 1 - 24, 2008; they run four shows each weekend in addition to Wednesday evening bonus shows. Reservations are available at (262)632-6802. Snowdance has grown into an international festival, but it also has encouraged and promoted local playwrights. This year will be the third festival to feature a finalist from outside the United States; once again, there is a finalist from Racine. In fact, 15 entrees from Racine authors were received. Snowdance also provides audiences with a variety of comedic styles in one performance. Artistic Director Rich Smith elaborates, “We have a number of different types of humor represented by the finalists. Sitcom-style comedy, poignant endings, light romance, ‘twisted’ viewpoints, dark humor, political statements, and classic one-liners will all be part of the evening. Utah has the Sundance, we’re proud Racine now has Snowdance!” Audiences can also anticipate the unique Over Our Head Players approach to the evening, “Once again, audiences can look forward to our signature hyjinx. At last year’s closing ceremonies, we sealed away the ceremonial Snowdance snow cone, and we look forward to ‘lighting’ it again for this year’s competition.” The 2008 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival is sponsored by Minuteman Press. Rich Smith leads the Snowdance acting and directing ensemble, which also features actors Barbara Akey, Rick Ditter, Cody A. Ernest, Melissa Hughes Ernest, Brandy Harrell, Zachary Scot Johnson, Jenny Kostreva, Joan Roehre, and Ron Schulz; Emily Breiwick is Snowmistress. The first three Snowdance Festivals played to sold out audiences. Previous competitions were produced by Time-Warner Cable for Wisconsin on Demand television after the run. Over Our Head Players is a non-profit organization of volunteer talent now in their 16th season; they operate the Sixth Street Theatre in Racine. OOHPs has a commitment to original theatre. In addition to the annual Snowdance competition, previous original works include their 2004 Artwalk performance of Camp Nelson and sell-outs of It’s a Wonderful Lifeboat; “Original Ones”: Ode to Garlic, Waiting for the WeinermobileTM, and Big Shoes; Still Haven’t Found...; and Real Remembrances of the War in Vietnam.
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Cody Ernest cannot stop laughing
about a script before he goes on stage at the Sixth Street Theatre
to audition for the Snowdance 10-Minute Comedy Festival on Nov.
12. Photo by Mark Hertzberg Journal Times.
