Short plays, big stage time for first-timers
The curtain rises this week on the 6th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival at Kanata Theatre, a compact showcase designed to give new artists real experience in front of an audience. Running from July 23 to 26, 2026 at the Ron Maislin Theatre, the festival presents seven original scripts by first-time playwrights, each staged by emerging directors.
Organizers say the series has stayed true to the aim outlined when the event began in 2021: to create a practical, low-barrier way for local writers and directors to test ideas, collaborate and learn how a show moves from page to stage. By limiting each work to ten minutes, the format keeps the evening brisk and varied while giving artists a manageable production window.
Hands-on learning meets audience feedback
The festival emphasizes experimentation and community exchange. Audiences are invited to see early-stage work and connect with creators informally, a feature that’s become part of the event’s identity. That dialogue, along with the condensed run time, helps newcomers build confidence and learn from immediate audience response.
“Everyone is hungry for something.” — tagline for Baby Bird
General admission is collected as a donation at the door, with a recommended contribution of $10. The pay-what-you-can approach is intended to keep the festival accessible for families and friends who want to support local talent without cost being a barrier.
What’s on the bill
Seven short plays anchor this year’s lineup, each paired with a novice director. The program includes new works from across the Ottawa theatre community, including contributors from Kanata and neighbouring communities.
- Baby Bird — written by Trevor Eggerton (Stittsville); directed by Tom Kobolak. Tagline: “Everyone is hungry for something.”
- Bedside Manor — written by Juli Heney; directed by Adam Pelletier. Tagline: “A trauma-informed approach to care.”
- On a Fundy Shore — written by Brian McCullough; directed by Yonatan Ravzin. Tagline: “The tide waits for no one.”
- The Book of Life — written by Judy Klass; directed by Barbara Kobolak. Tagline: “What story would you choose, if you could?”
- What’s the Hold Up? — written by Sonia Mendes; directed by Christine Pressburger. Tagline: “Move to online? Don’t bank on it.”
- When the Dust Clears — written by Jennifer Pfitzer; directed by Barb Friesen. Tagline: “Siblings: perfectly normal until they get together.”
- You Are What You Eat — written by Barb Friesen; directed by Keira Conlin. Tagline: “Every bite counts.”
Event details at a glance
| Dates | July 23–26, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Ron Maislin Theatre (Kanata Theatre) |
| Format | Seven original plays, approximately 10 minutes each |
| Admission | By donation at the door (recommended $10) |
| Info & tickets | kanatatheatre.ca |
Why it matters for Kanata
For Kanata residents, the festival offers a local entry point into theatre-making and audience engagement. By focusing on first-time playwrights and new directors, it broadens who gets to make and present work, while giving the community a chance to see a range of stories in a single sitting. The informal atmosphere—encouraging conversation between artists and attendees—helps reinforce a culture of feedback and mentorship that can be hard to find in early career stages.
The short-play structure also supports experimentation. With technical and narrative stakes contained to ten minutes, artists can test form, subject matter and style without committing to a full-length run. That flexibility, together with a donation-based ticket, lowers barriers on both sides of the stage. For families, neighbours and colleagues of the participants, it’s a practical way to show support and experience an evening of varied theatre without extensive planning or cost.
As the festival moves into its sixth year, the steady return of new voices signals ongoing interest in grassroots creation. The model—local writers, first-time directors, brief performances—keeps the focus on learning-by-doing. For a growing community with a strong volunteer arts base, those opportunities can translate into future productions and a more resilient pipeline of creators.
