text: It may be too late to catch this year’s potpourri of 10-minutes plays and monologues, but not too early to think about writing one of your own. Nor is it too early to promise yourself to see next year’s August crop. There is the obvious perk for an audience member presented with an evening of multiple short plays: If you don’t like one, there are others to follow. Yet I found myself enjoying all 8. An added bonus was that being familiar with some of the directors and playwrights and many of the actors added to the fun and enjoyment for me.
  Andes representation included Wilma Mazo, who created The Twin with a Toni, directed A Doughnut Hole, and gave superb performances in A Lovely Little Life and In the Open; Pat Brannen, who has been a regular stage crew member as well as actor with the Open Eye—acting winningly in two; and Sharon Jaddis as stage manager.
  Amie Brockway, the artistic director of Open Eye Theater, who directed 3 of the plays, recounted during talkback at the Preview Performance how out of the 85 script submissions they received (and after delegating a portion to the “no” pile), they prioritized local and regional writers whose work would accommodate the ensemble players available. The actors had 2½ weeks to get their parts down—parts with elements of psychological tension, whimsy, metaphysical exploration, and sly humor.
  It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening of well-acted short plays displaying a wonderful range of themes and emotions. To see the upcoming events and past productions of the Open Eye, located at 960 Main Street, Margaretville, visit their website at :