Ten-Minute Play Festival
Every August, we showcase ten original plays by Kitsap County playwrights. Submit your ten-minute play by February 14 for a chance to see it performed on stage.
Our Annual Showcase of Original Plays by Local Authors
Every August, Island Theatre presents The Ten-Minute Play Festival (TMPF)—a celebration of ten-minute plays, playwrights, and the craft of playwriting.
Over three days and four performances, we present a juried selection of plays by Kitsap County playwrights, directed and performed by local theatre artists. The plays are fully staged and performed at the beautiful Buxton Center at Bainbridge Performing Arts.
How It Works
1. Call for Submissions (Deadline: February 14)
Every winter, we invite Kitsap County playwrights to submit original ten-minute plays. There's no theme—just write a compelling story that can be performed in ten minutes or less.
Who can submit?
Anyone with a strong connection to Kitsap County (because they live or work here, or lived/worked here in the past). The competition is open to experienced and aspiring playwrights, high school age and above.
What happens next?
A panel of theatre professionals and the Island Theatre board read all submissions and select ten plays for production.
2. Meet the Playwrights (Pre-Festival Panel)
Before the festival performances, we host a lively panel discussion and Q&A with the playwrights behind the winning plays. This is the audience's chance to ask about inspiration, process, challenges, and what it's like to see your words come to life on stage.
3. The Festival (August)
Over one weekend in August, the ten selected plays are performed at the BPA Buxton Center. Each play is directed by a local director, performed by local actors, and fully staged with lights, sound, and simple sets.
Performances: Typically four shows (Friday evening, Saturday matinee & evening, Sunday matinee)
Audience: Packed houses—TMPF has become one of the most anticipated theatre events on Bainbridge Island
2026 TMPF — Now Accepting Submissions!
Deadline: February 14, 2026
Theme: No theme this year! Write what moves you.
Maximum length: 10 minutes performance time
Read the full submission guidelines →
Submissions are typically announced in April, with rehearsals beginning in summer.
Ten-Minute Playwriting Workshop
Each fall, we offer a Ten-Minute Playwriting Workshop—a small-group, multi-session workshop led by a professional playwright and teacher. The workshop guides students through the process of crafting an original ten-minute play from idea to finished script.
Many TMPF winners got their start in our workshop. It's open to writers of all experience levels.
Interested? Join our mailing list to get notified when workshop registration opens each fall.
Past Festivals
Since 2012, Island Theatre has produced over 100 original ten-minute plays by Kitsap County playwrights. The festival has showcased everything from dark comedies to family dramas to surreal experiments—all written by people who live and work in this community.
TMPF typically receives 50-70 submissions each year, making it one of the most competitive local playwriting opportunities in the Pacific Northwest.
Join Our Mailing List
Want to know about TMPF submissions, workshop registration, or festival performance dates? Join our mailing list for updates.
Email us to join or fill out the form on our contact page.
The Ten-Minute Play Festival was created in 2012 by Sara Scribner and continues to be one of Island Theatre's signature programs, celebrating local writers and the power of short-form theatre.