USU 10-Minute Play Festival
Overview
The USU 10-Minute Play Festival was a student-led theatrical event that provided an opportunity for emerging artists to experiment, collaborate, and share their work. As the festival organizer, I coordinated logistics, secured performance rights, and fostered communication between student directors and faculty. This project was part of my Honors Capstone and aimed to establish a new tradition of student-driven theatre at USU.
Responsibilities
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Coordinated festival logistics, including securing performance rights for chosen plays.
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Acted as the primary liaison between student directors, actors, and the theatre department.
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Organized rehearsals, schedules, and technical needs.
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Directed one of the festival’s 10-minute plays.
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Assisted with stage management during tech and performances.
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Developed marketing materials and helped promote the event.
Administration
Organizing the 10-Minute Play Festival required balancing logistics, communication, and collaboration across multiple departments. I worked to ensure smooth coordination between student directors, faculty, and theatre staff while also handling scheduling, securing performance rights, and promoting the event. This section highlights the behind-the-scenes work that made the festival possible.
Festival Poster Design
Directing
In addition to organizing the festival, I directed one of the featured 10-minute plays. My approach emphasized clear storytelling, actor collaboration, and dramaturgical research to bring the script to life. This section includes my directing script and dramaturgy presentation, showcasing my artistic vision and rehearsal process.
Click to see full script
Audience Feedback and Impact
Gathering audience feedback was an essential part of evaluating the festival’s impact and identifying areas for growth. Through post-show surveys, we collected insights on what resonated with attendees, the effectiveness of the storytelling, and the overall experience of the event. This section highlights key takeaways from audience responses, reflecting on the festival’s success and opportunities for future development.
91%
described their experience as "Great" or "Excellent"
Survey Questions:
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How would you rate your overall experience at the 10-Minute Play Festival? (Options: Poor, Fair, Good, Great, Excellent)
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How engaging did you find the plays? (Options: Not at all engaging, Mostly not engaging, Somewhat engaging, Engaging, Very engaging)
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Were there any plays or themes that stood out to you? Why? (Open-ended)
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Are you interested in participating in the festival as a writer, actor, or director in the future? If yes, please include your contact information. (Open-ended)
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How did you hear about the festival? (Open-ended)
An interesting format that I had never seen before!
Everyone was having fun!
They were all unique and interesting.
Great to see so many students involved.
Takeaways & Future Growth
The audience feedback affirms the festival’s success in creating an inclusive and engaging experience, with strong enthusiasm for future participation. To expand its reach, improving promotional efforts—such as broader social media campaigns and campus partnerships—could attract a wider audience. Strengthening connections with those interested in future involvement will also help sustain the festival and foster a growing community of student artists. By building on these insights, the festival can continue to thrive as a platform for storytelling, collaboration, and creative exploration at USU.