Directors and actors embrace the challenge of 10-minute plays at GreenMan Theatre ‘8 to the Bar’ fest

This year’s playbill for GreenMan Theatre Troupe’s “8 to the Bar 2026” 10-Minute Play Festival will showcase a fresh roster of new talent among its actors and directors. GreenMan Theatre will present its sixth annual production of eight 10-minute plays on July 17-19 at Mystic Vines in Villa Park.

Directors are revealing the positives and challenges associated with 10-minute plays. “With a 10-minute play, you have to make the performance and staging as interesting as possible so the audience will be enraptured by something that’s shorter,” said Jacob Borre, director of “Death Never Tasted So Sweet.”

“I think the short format is great,” said Morgan LeResche, director of “Living Doll.” “It’s challenging to get an audience’s interest and wrap up a story in just 10 minutes.”

Borre hopes his first-time directing efforts will lead to larger-scale productions. “I’ve been involved in theater for a very long time,” he said. “I felt directing would be a next step. I thought ’8 to the Bar’ would be a steppingstone to directing larger, longer productions.”

Actor Abigail Rakocy will step onto the GreenMan Theatre stage for the first time in two 10-minute plays: “Surprise” and “Death Never Tasted So Sweet.” “I’ve done larger productions, but I thought this would be the level of commitment I need right now with having moved recently.”

All three agreed that audiences will enjoy GreenMan Theatre’s 10-minute Play Festival. “I’m having such a ball with how hysterical my two shows are,” Rakocy said. “And the venue at Mystic Vines lends itself to a more intimate atmosphere and to being closer to the audience.”

Performances of the “8 to the Bar 2026” 10-Minute Play Festival will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday at Mystic Vines, 219 W. St. Charles Road in Villa Park.

Cost is $20 per ticket. Tickets are available at greenmantheatre.org and will be sold in advance with limited walk-up tickets available.

In its 22nd season, GreenMan Theatre Troupe is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide a source of cultural enrichment and pride for the community by presenting diverse, quality productions and providing opportunities for personal growth in the theatrical arts. GreenMan has been presenting plays in Elmhurst since being founded in 2003. Past productions include “Dracula,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Doubtful Abbey.” GreenMan also offers classes and workshops for members and the community and welcomes new members and participants in all aspects of theater production. GreenMan programs are partially supported by Explore Elmhurst, as well as other individual and corporate donations.