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The longest running short play festival in the world!
8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival
The 2026 Festival opens Jan 16
and runs through Feb 15, 2026
The annual 10-minute play festival is one of the most anticipated and popular events of the theatre season in Santa Cruz.
Tickets go on sale Nov 28!
2025 Program
See photos from the 2025 Festival:
Looking Back at 8 Tens @ 8
Watch some audience favorites from past Festivals in this video.
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Why God Made Beggars - 2020
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True - 2017
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Waiting For Their Flights - 2018
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Phone Sets - 2018
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Dragon Skin - 2018
The Best of the Rest
Staged readings of the 8 runners up from each year's 8 Tens @ 8 Festival
Plays are performed script in hand by an ensemble cast, co-directed by 8 Tens directors.
February 27 - March 8, 2026
Submissions for the 2026
International Short Play Contest
Are Now OPEN
Only previously unproduced scripts, please!
How the 8 Tens Festival
Became a Theatre Phenomenon
Read the Good Times cover story HERE
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