The puppet masters for the show are Laura Stevens and John Head, the co-ordination team and two of the mentors for the show’s directors.
Mrs Stevens is a STAG committee member and has extensive experience within STAG, most recently being the stage manager for the Georgy-winning production of Little Shop of Horrors in 2024.
Mr Head is a life member of STAG, playwright, actor and recently retired STAG committee member.
“The 2025 10 in Ten is 10 original short plays, each under 10 minutes long, written with the theme ‘anniversary’ specifically for the 50th anniversary of STAG as a company,” Mr Head said.
“This is about the 12th time STAG has staged the 10 in Ten, after the original 10 in Ten commenced in 2004 as part of the Shepparton Festival to give local playwrights and budding directors and actors a chance to get their play in a public production with the support of an amateur theatre company.
“The concept gives people a chance to ‘dip their toe’ in the creative art of theatre in all aspects in a supportive environment and a format that teaches some of the basics of play performance, direction and production.”
Playwrights were invited to share their scripts, and it was not an opportunity missed.
“This year we had 24 play scripts from all around the country,” Mrs Stevens said.
“The process of choosing the final plays consisted of confirming that they were original and met the theme of ‘anniversary’.
“The scripts that arrived were read by a reading committee of STAG members and the process of choosing the final 10 was done by each reader choosing their top 10 plays and then meeting and fighting it out for their inclusion.
“It is a gruelling and fun process, with plenty of creative energy and passion, and we’re really pleased with the final 10 plays chosen and we think the public will be as well.”
The scripts were decided, directors are ready, backstage poised — all they need is a star-studded cast.
The information night for cast and crew is on Tuesday, January 21 at 7pm in the STAG Bakehouse on Wheeler St.
“We’re after anyone over the age of 16 interested in getting involved in theatre, whether that be would-be actors or interested in lighting and sound design or other backstage action, to come along to the information night,” Mr Head said.
The plays will be cast and begin rehearsals over the next two months, to be performed as part of the 2025 Shepparton Festival.
Performances will be on Friday, April 11, Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13.
Tickets will be available online through the STAG website.
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