20th Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival

Don Salvo is co-founder of the Playwrights Lab at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, has taught playwriting in Stetson University’s Lifelong Learning program and was a Fellow in the School of Speech and Drama at Northwestern University. His play, Unraveled, was a finalist for the Heideman Award for Drama and received two off-Broadway productions, introducing tv and movie star Joe Manganiello to New York audiences. As a member of Actors Equity, Don performed in over 60 musical productions with the Kenley Players. He has earned B.S., M.Ed., and M.S.Ed. degrees and currently teaches Playwriting, Broadway Musicals, and Acting courses at Celebration Lifelong.

Abduction
by Stephen Walkiewicz, Orlando

Stephen Walkiewicz has been involved with theater his whole life. From acting and dancing, Steve works behind the scenes as a professional career. He has been a lighting and projection technician for Blue Man Group, Universal Studios and Cirque Du Soleil. His play Paradise Found won the audience award at Eclectic Full Contact Theater’s 3rd Annual Patchwork festival and his play Jersey Devil was published in Spray Paint Magazine. His other play Hagiography and C2CAM Time Travel was published in After The Storm Magazine. He is a proud member of DSA and Theater Workers for a Ceasefire.

Feel Good, Inc.
by Bernie Yanelli, Bradenton

Bernard Yanelli —This year Bernie is celebrating his 40th anniversary with his lovely wife Marlene, his 20th year as a history and economics teacher at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, and the production of his 11th play by Theatre Odyssey. He is thrilled to have another of his short plays being produced this year. He is further thrilled that the one and only Preston Boyd is directing it and that he has selected such an amazing cast.

Love My Dog, Love Me
by Seva Anthony, Bradenton

Seva Anthony has been active with Theatre Odyssey since its inception as an actor, director and playwright. She has had a vast and lengthy career in dance, in various theatrical arenas performing both nationally and abroad. She was trained in drama at the London Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. She has appeared on local stages at the Historic Asolo and American Stage as well as The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Florida Opera Theatre and her solo aerial act at the Rio in Las Vegas. She thanks all those who helped her on her journey. 

Outcasts and Rebels
by Marj O’Neill-Butler, Miami

Marj O’Neill-Butler, a resident of Miami Beach, Florida, is the Regional Rep for the Dramatists Guild – Florida Region. She is also a member of the New Play Exchange, Honor Roll and the International Center for Women Playwrights. Her work has been seen in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia and S. Korea. She has had 69 different plays produced in multiple theatres, numerous readings and of course, many rejections. A published playwright and mother of two grown sons, Marj is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild, Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA.

Something is Rotting on the Stage of Glenmark
by Ken Preuss, Oviedo

Ken Preuss is a former children’s magician, aspiring actor, deejay, and improvisational comedian who became a teacher to guarantee himself an audience five days a week. His published one-acts for teens include Shuffling, Alienated, and Campsite Chaos. His short plays, The Elusive Pursuit of Maximum Bliss Taking Sum Lumps, A Dave with Destiny, and more are produced world-wide. Although his plays have reached Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and 48 of the 50 States, Ken can be found rooted near Orlando with his wife, sons, and assorted pets.

Strangers Off a Train
by Samara Siskind, Fort Lauderdale

Samara Siskind’s plays and monologues have been produced across the globe and featured in various anthologies including Shorter, Faster, Funnier: Comic Plays and Monologues, Great Short Comedies Volumes 1 & 2, The Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2023, The Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2024, The Best Men’s Stage Monologues of 2024, and The Best Women’s Stage Monologues of 2024 soon to be released by Smith & Kraus. Her work has been developed and produced by City Theatre Miami, Forward Theatre, Tiny_Theatre, Lakeshore Players Theatre, the Morgan-Wixson Theater and Ivoryton Playhouse, amongst others. Samara serves as the Resident Dramaturg for Athena Project and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

The Intermission
by Jan Wallace, Sarasota

Jan Wallace is an actress, playwright and director and is thrilled to have her play included in this year’s festival. She has directed and acted in many Theater Odyssey productions. As an actress she has worked off-Broadway and New York Regional theatres.  Her favorite roles include her one-woman show, Shirley Valentine, Noises Off (Dotty Otley/Mrs. Clacket), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Jean Brodie), and The Shadow Box (Maggie). Since moving to Sarasota she has performed at the Asolo Rep, the Banyan Theatre, Venice Theatre, the Manatee Performing Arts Center and the Players Theater. She trained in London and New York.