Birdie Gay, Ben Simpson and Brittany Bazinet in “Dancing into the Unknown” shorts 2023. Submitted photo

The Monmouth Community Players plan to present the 4th Annual MCP Shorts Play Festival Friday through Sunday, Jan. 3-5, at Cumston Hall, 296 Main St., Monmouth.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Emily Carlton, left, and Jane Mitchell in “Curiosity Kills” shorts 2023. Submitted photo

This short play festival had its origins during 2020, where the organization solicited scripts from local playwrights and presented staged readings via zoom recordings. Since then the festival has evolved to include live performances of the shows. The past two years have been performed in found spaces. This year the festival grows as we bring it to the stage for the first time, where shows will get full production value. The best part of this festival is that we get to honor the creativity of many of Maine’s hard working playwrights. We pride ourselves on seeking out new work from our talented Maine playwrights.

The festival this year will include 11 scripts, to be rehearsed in December and performed in January. The festival features six local directors, and will be performed by local actors. This event is a celebration of all the local talent that we have in our area and around our state. The 11 plays that have been selected to be produced include Just Ice by Jon Bolduc and “People Watching” by Josie French, both of Lewiston, “Here We Grow Again” by Greg Simpson of Minot, “Scrabble” by Jeff Stewart of Southport, “Making an Impression” by Roger Powers of West Bath, “Nine Miles” to “Maryville” by Joe Swenson of Portland, “Down With It” by Melanie Wolfe of Blue Hill, “Change of Date” by Jonathan Hamann and “My 2 Cents” by Danny Gay, both of Monmouth, “Pinkie and Sheila” by Randy Hunt of Westbrook, and “The Proposal” by Greg Tulonen of Auburn.

Tickets cost $10 general admission and are available online or at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at monmouthcommunityplayers.org or contacting our box office at mcpboxoffice@gmail.com or calling at 207-370-9566.

Any questions about the play festival can be directed to the artistic director at adatmcp@gmail.com.

Check out other upcoming entertainment events!