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THUNDER BAY — This weekend, Magnus Theatre once again throws open its doors for the 10x10 Short Play Festival.
Running June 6 and 7, the festival brings 10 new 10-minute plays to the stage, handpicked from over 40 submissions by emerging and established playwrights from across the city.
Curated by a professional jury composed of Carolyn Zapf, Thunder Bay playwright and dramaturg for Toronto’s FireWorks Festival. Rachel Aberle, former artistic director of Green Thumb Theatre. Jeremy West founding artistic director of Silver Line Theatre Exchange in Virginia. The final lineup offers a compelling mix of comedy, drama and imaginative storytelling.
“We're really excited about the 10 plays that we've got on offer for this event,” said Jordan Blaxill, Magnus Theatre’s education director. “Every year it’s a really contrasting bunch in terms of styles, genres, and settings, and the same is true again this year.”
Among the selections for 2025 are:
- Nocturnal Evaluations by Don McMahon
- Double Blind by Sheena Larson
- The Thing by Ricardo Koller
- Chords by Lisa Habermehl
- David by Shelby Ch’ng
- On the Sidelines by Guy Newsham
- The Cave by Katya Arifin
- Hungry for Love by CB Campbell
- Ensign Fontana by David Hawkins
- Wash, Rinse by Stef Celine
From modern-day reflections on grief to comedic sci-fi capers and timely explorations of AI, this year’s program spans a rich emotional and thematic spectrum. “We’ve got some really compelling dramas, some really funny comedies,” Blaxill said. “When you put it all together, it makes for a really exciting couple of evenings of theatre.”
One standout piece is Ensign Fontana by first-time playwright David Hawkins. Directed by Ken Horton, the Star Trek-inspired satire follows four crew members struggling through a chaotic night shift filled with “unfortunate” technical difficulties. “My play is a comedic homage to the cultural touchstone that is Star Trek,” Hawkins shared.
For Horton, a seasoned performer and second-time director, working on the play was a personal joy. “Dave and I have been friends for many years, and I greatly respect him. Knowing that this was his first time writing a play, I really wanted to be a part of it,” he said. “This is your community telling its stories, your friends, your neighbours, and there is so much talent. You don’t want to miss this.”
Another notable piece, Chords by Lisa Habermehl, offers a quieter but deeply emotional story: a grandfather adjusting to life in a new apartment after the loss of his wife. It’s one of several intimate, character-driven works in this year’s selection.
Blaxill emphasizes that the 10x10 Festival isn’t just about entertainment, it's about opportunity. “It draws so many members of our local theatre community, and it's a great platform for both experienced and budding playwrights to have their work put on in front of a large audience on our professional stage.”
The festival kicks off with a gala performance on Friday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m., followed by two shows on Saturday, June 7: a 2 p.m. matinee and a final 7:30 evening performance. Tickets are available online at magnus.on.ca, by phone, or in person at the box office (open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to 3 p.m.).
