one of New York's best-known short play festivals, celebrates its sixth season with

THE BEST OF 8-MINUTE MADNESS FESTIVAL 2009

Hundreds of playwrights across the nation

Who will be America's Playwright of 2009?

You decide!

Turtle Shell Productions, originator of one of New York's best-known short play festivals, celebrates its sixth season with THE BEST OF 8-MINUTE MADNESS PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL.

Eight outstanding plays created by fresh, innovative and award-winning playwrights from across the globe have been selected from more than 130 works previously produced by Turtle Shell. These 8 works will be reviewed by New York's top talent and literary agents, whose votes will decide the winning play.

Directed by John W. Cooper, producer of Turtle Shell Productions, THE BEST OF is performed by resident members of The Troupe, an assemblage of some of the best and brightest actors on the New York City theatre scene.

Featured playwrights are: (Best Production 2007) , Nina Mansfield (Best production 2008) , Stephanie Keys ( Best Playwright 2006), Quinn D. Eli (Best Playwright 2004) , Henry Meyerson (Best Production 2006), Lizz Leiser (Best Playwrights 2007), Walter Thinnes (Most innovative 2007), Mark William Butler, and Shaun Raviv (Most innovative 2008)

Festival Information

Purchase your tickets today!


February 28 @ 3PM Preview
March 1 @ 2PM Preview
March 2 @ 7PM Preview
March 4 @ 7PM Preview
March 5 @ 8PM Preview
March 7 @ 3PM Opening
March 7 @ 8:30PM
March 10 @ 7PM
March 13 @ 8PM
March 14 @ 2:30PM

Please Note:

We have three separate groups of performances. Each group is listed by the title of its own grouping: "The Best Of", "Original Works", and "Youth Fest". If you are attending a performance to see a particular actor or playwright, scroll down this page to see which group they are in. The group titles also are listed on the TheaterMania calendar once you have selected the performance day you wish to attend.

Awards and musical entertainment will be presented Sunday March 15 at 6:00pm.

FootBall Game
By Mark William Butler
Joey......................................................*Traci Hovel
Bob......................................................Alex Adams

Meeting Without End
By Walter Thinnes
Meeting Organizer.................................*Traci Hovel
Confirmed Attendee..............................Christie Booker
Requested Attendee..............................David Myers
Tentative Attendee................................Mizuo Peck

The Journal
By Lizz Leiser
Lisa......................................................Alison Crane
John.....................................................Thom Geraghty
Robert..................................................Alex Adams

Silence
By Henry Meyerson

Abel......................................................*Milton James
Sarah....................................................*Carol Lambert
Aaron...................................................David Myers


Rats
By Shaun Raviv
Tar......................................................Alex Adams
Rat......................................................Justin Morck

The Trip
By Stephanie Keys
Fiona..................................................Christie Booker
Audrey................................................*Kendell Zwillman

Smile
By Nina Mansfield

Man......................................................Justin Morck
Woman.................................................*Monica Lawson

Small Portions
By Quinn D. Eli
David...................................................Ras McCurdie
Helen...................................................Elena Chang
Kevin...................................................Nathan Atkinson

*Member of Actors Equity Association & Equity Approved Showcase