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The longest running short play festival in the world!
8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival
The 2027 Festival will open Jan 15
and run through Feb 14, 2027
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 November 27
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2026 Program
See photos from the 2025 Festival:
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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.
Coming March 5 - 14, 2027
Submissions for the 2027
International Short Play Contest
Are Now CLOSED
The 2028 contest will open for submissions on Nov 15, 2026.
How the 8 Tens Festival
Became a Theatre Phenomenon
Read the Good Times cover story HERE
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