Season begins with '10-Minute Play Festival'

The Flathead High School Theatre Department will kick off the 2017-18 season with “Flathead’s 10-Minute Play Festival” at 6:27 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, in the David M. Hashley Theatre at FHS in Kalispell. Tickets are $5 at the door.

“Flathead’s 10 Minute Play Festival” features original, 10-minute plays produced by the students of Flathead High School. The festival is a week-long event that begins on Aug. 31 with auditions. Rehearsals continue through the week, culminating in the festival performance on Sept. 7.

Several of the plays are written by students in ‘Asta Bowen’s creative writing course. Directors include Kacie West, Bethany Shehan, April Williams, Liz Sykora, Kyla Niva and Wendy Putzler. Technical directors are Micah Horneman and Jen Stebbins-Han.

“The energy for this project is contagious,” Putzler said. “This process gives kids the opportunity to take a risk and to try something they might not have tried before. With so many great opportunities at Flathead High School, this is a chance for many of our students to try theatre!”

“Flathead’s 10 Minute Play Festival” is a great opportunity for staff and students to test their mettle and grow as a community. As Liz Sykora, a member of the FHS Theatre staff said, there is a camaraderie built by going through such an intense and short process.

“It is also an amazing opportunity for students to join an activity on the first day of school. Many seniors share with me that they regret not auditioning for a play. This is an opportunity for everyone to experience the amazing process of theatre,” Putzler said. “Last year’s fall festival included memorable moments that our students still talk about as they prepare for this year’s festival. We are excited for this year’s process.”