The Back Story
Project 10 is a classic example of what happens when writers get bored.
The rundown: Michael is heading to graduate school in the Fall to pursue his MFA, and he wanted to prepare. So he initially challenged Jeremy and Jaclyn to complete a script for a 10 minute play in a week. The scripts had to have a theme—the theme was lifted from a festival performance Jeremy and Michael had recently seen. All three of us completed the play, albeit a week behind a listed due date.
As projects are prone to do, this one put on a lot of weight. The challenge was reiterated again. And then again. One 10-minute play became ten. The time frame became one a week. So our summer project began: Ten plays written in ten weeks, ten minutes each, with themes selected by the writers on a rotating basis. Sharpen dialogue, tighten language, bring theatricality to the words: these were our goals for the project.
Somewhere along the way, we determined that the project should be produced, since that is why plays are written. We would need directors, actors, a space to play, minimal costumes and props. As this is an exercise to see if the words are effective, the project is going to be "on book"—performed with script in hand.
When the plays were complete, the writers gathered to vote on everyone's work. The top three from each writer (plus a 10th wild-card play agreed upon by all three) were presented to the directors, who accepted their challenge to cast and mount the shows in two-weeks time. A read-thru; a couple of rehearsals; then the final day with a dress and a performance. Welcome to the initial outing of Project 10.
Yes. Initial outing. That word "initial" is there intentionally. This is not a one-time operation. We plan on bringing it back again next summer.
For now, you can keep up with our progress here on the site. At some future date we plan to have a blog too. Check back for news on the upcoming production—and plan to join us for a night of theatre from three playwrights who have something to say about, well, most anything.
Questions? Write to us at project10@theatredaedalus.com.