The Grand River Arts Festival (GRAF) announced the winners of this year’s Ten-Minute Play Competition on Friday, September 27, 2024.
The annual competition brought together some of the most talented theatre creators from the region, showcasing short plays packed with emotional depth, wit, and innovation.
The 2024 Ten-Minute Play Competition winners were:
GOLD
The Interview
Written by and starring Heather Kirk; Directed by Deb Dagenais
A thought-provoking and imaginative play that delved into the nuanced reality of being a trans woman. Through its profound storytelling, the play captivated both judges and audience alike, offering a deeply human perspective on identity, struggle, and resilience. Its ability to tackle complex themes with clarity and heart made it stand out, ultimately earning a standing ovation for its emotionally charged performance and powerful message.
SILVER
Dinner for One
Starring and directed by Catherine Camp-Paynter and Bruce Farley
In this charming yet bittersweet comedy, a woman’s (Catherine Camp-Paynter) devoted butler (Bruce Farley) hosts a dinner party for her long-departed friends, creating a hilarious spectacle. The play showcased brilliant physical comedy and witty dialogue. The clever interplay between humour and melancholy left the audience both laughing and reflecting on the passage of time.
BRONZE
Coach Kingston Tells It Like It Is
Starring Cooper Bilton and Tom Keat; Directed by Sue Miner and Mark Brownell
A comedic tour de force that delved into the high-stakes world of competition, where pressure can reveal both the worst and best in people. We followed the no-nonsense Coach Kingston (Cooper Bilton), whose hilariously blunt advice to a struggling hockey dad (Tom Keat) served as a backdrop for deeper reflections on ambition, self-worth, and camaraderie. The sharp humour and dynamic pacing kept the audience in stitches, while the underlying themes struck a universal chord about human nature under pressure.
Additionally, the festival presented Special Adjudication Awards to recognize exceptional contributions in specific areas of performance and production. The Project (Kate Racheter and Jay Douglas) was honoured for its meticulous attention to detail, showcasing a nuanced approach to storytelling that stood out for its precision. Sandwich (Tommy Taylor and Muneer Malik-Noor) received praise for set design, creating a visually compelling and effective illusion of infinite space within the constraints of the short play form. Lastly, Julie Goudie was awarded for her brilliant portrayal of Nadia in Good People (starring Julie Goudie and Rachel Estok; written by Eric Goudie; directed by Mya Leworthy), earning the characterization award for bringing depth, nuance, and authenticity to her stunning portrayal.
The Ten-Minute Play Competition is a key feature of the Grand River Arts Festival, a celebration of artistic talent from across Brant Region and beyond. The competition was staged on September 21 on the Coach House Stage at Glenhyrst, where a panel of judges experienced these short, powerful pieces.
“We are incredibly proud of the caliber of work presented at this year’s competition,” said Wiktor Kulinski, Theatre and Performance Art Coordinator for the Grand River Arts Festival. “The range of creativity and talent demonstrated by our theatre creators has been inspiring… we were all left in awe.”
