Minnesota Shorts Play Festival

01/27/2026

🚨🎭After a year off, Shorts is back! Submissions are now open for the 17th annual Minnesota Shorts 10-Minute Play Festival!🚨🎭

Submissions will be open from January 28-February 28.

Here are the details: 👀

Submissions open January 28, 2024 and close February 28, 2026 Eligibility:

Open to playwrights in the Midwest states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri and Kansas.

Minnesota Playwrights: May submit up to two scripts Midwest Playwrights: Limited to one script submission

Play Guidelines: Plays can be new or previously produced. Any topic goes, but keep in mind our audience is all ages.

Length: Scripts should be approximately 10-minutes, including stage actions.

Technical Requirements: Plays should have minimal technical demands.

Script Submission Format: Please send TWO copies of your script in the following format:

1. Personal Details Copy: Includes Play Title, Playwright's Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, and Email Address on the title page.

2. Anonymous Copy: Contains only the Play Title on the cover page for impartial judging. All identifying information must be removed.

TO SUBMIT YOUR PLAY: Attach both copies of your script in PDF form and email to [email protected]

We're so excited to be back. Happy writing! ✍️

08/25/2024

What an incredibly joy-filled celebration of local talent! Thank you to all who made this year's fest a success! And congrats to our Best of the Fest winners!

08/24/2024

What a great evening celebrating local theatre! One more chance to catch these talented folks in action!

Welcome to the 16th Annual Minnesota Shorts Festival! August 23-24, 2024 | Lincoln Community Center Join Merely Players Community Theatre in celebrating playwrights from Minnesota and across the Midwest.  For Playwrights For the Community For PlaywrightsSubmissions open January 20, 2024 and close ...

08/23/2024

08/23/2024

Thanks to Julie Peck and Aaron Stuve — two of our amazing directors for talking about the fest on Kato Living today! Get your tix now and come out to support local theater! https://merelyplayers.com/mn-shorts

Kato Living - Minnesota Shorts Play Festival

08/22/2024

DYK? One of the seven 10-minute plays in this year's fest features TWO former Merely Players Community Theatre Artistic Directors. Maggie Maes as director and Travis Carpenter on stage.

You don't want to miss this talented crew! Get your tickets now! https://ci.ovationtix.com/36338/production/1188990

08/22/2024

We're one day out from the fest. Thank you to Twin Rivers Council for the Arts for your sponsorship and support! Join us TOMORROW and SATURDAY at 7 p.m.

Find upcoming regional art events on the ShopART Midwest calendar. https://bit.ly/3xjLrRF The Last Revel Vetter Stone Amphitheater Merely Players Community Theatre The Mankato Makerspace

08/17/2024

We are only one week out from the 16th annual MN Shirts festival. Our directors and actors have been hard at work preparing these amazing local scripts.

Check out the cast of “The Creature at the End of the Bed” by Ohio playwright Greg Smith.

See this and six others shows Aug. 23 and 24. Get your tix now! 🎟️🎭

https://ci.ovationtix.com/36338/production/1188990

08/15/2024

One week until the fest! Get your tickets now!

07/26/2024

Step back in time with this heartfelt reminiscence set against the backdrop of America's favorite pastime.

"Hotdogs, Getchahotdogshere!" by Nate Metcalf is one of seven plays by regional playwrights featured in the upcoming Minnesota Shorts 10-minute play festival. 🎟 Tickets available now! https://merelyplayers.com/current-shows

07/19/2024

Blind date or job interview? Find out in "A Good Fit," a quick (and quick-witted) 10-minute play by Jaclyn Stiller.

On stage August 23 and 24 as part of the 16th annual Minnesota Shorts 10-Minute Play Festival!

Get your tickets to the fest now! https://ci.ovationtix.com/36338/production/1188990