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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
2026 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.
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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