Seven original short plays by Florida writers took he stage at the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center in Odessa last weekend as the Wesley Chapel Theater Group presented its 2nd Annual One-Act Festival.
Performances ran Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, both at 2 p.m. at the 250-seat theater inside the cultural center at 12118 Lake Blanche Dr.
The group received more than 50 submissions from playwrights across the state and selected seven, each running approximately 10 minutes. The program spanned comedy and drama, with themes of family, enduring friendship and not taking oneself too seriously.
WCTG spokesperson Samantha Grahn told the Neighborhood News that narrowing the field was difficult. "We are especially excited to welcome back playwrights Jessica Burchfield and Keith Whalen, whose works were featured in last year's production," Grahn said.
Burchfield and Whalen are the only returning writers from the inaugural 2025 festival. The full 2026 lineup:
- "Twelve Books" by Philip Middleton Williams
- "Finding Help" by Marj O'Neill-Butler
- "Zoe's Party" by Lois Findlay
- "On the Likelihood of Elephants" by Brian S. Brijbag, Esq.
- "Priceless" by Samara Siskind
- "Non-Weight Bearing" by Jessica Burchfield
- "Coming to Town" by Keith Whalen
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center opened in August 2021 at a cost of more than $2.1 million. The 26,000-square-foot facility is jointly operated by Pasco County Libraries, Pasco County Schools and the Starkey community, and draws more than 16,000 visitors per month. The theater is equipped with theatrical lighting, a sound booth and dressing rooms.
Tickets and more information are available at WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org.
