OOHPs send out Snowdance rejection letters

Local playwrights got some disappointing news this week. The Over Our Head Players' Snowdance committee sent out rejection letters for the annual 10-minute comedy festival.

As someone who has had Snowdance plays rejected a few times over the years, it just doesn't feel good to get passed over. But it's certainly understandable. The committee now gets hundreds of submissions from around the world and then sells out practically all of its Snowdance performances. OOHPs work hard to put together the most successful show possible.

More important, I think, is the sheer number of people OOHPs has writing comedy every year, thanks to Snowdance. It's rewarding to simply put words to paper in an effort to make others laugh, smile, think ... and laugh some more. Congratulations to all Snowdance playwrights for their submissions, and good luck next year!

Performances of this year's festival run from Jan. 29 to Feb. 28. Here's the list of this year's finalists, which includes two former Racine residents:

Wedding Belles by Brett Hursey, Longwood University, Farmville, VA
A young bride gets more than just bad luck when she sees her future husband moments before the wedding

Ray Who? by David Berger, Madison, Wisconsin
It may be “Up North,” but has a Green Bay Packer legend really been turned in to the game warden for "practicing" with local deer?

10x10 by Roy Sorrels, Santa Fe, New Mexico
10x10 = all you need to know about modern life in 10 scenes, 10 lines each. Or maybe it just equals 100.

Chewbacca and Costello by Joe Thompson, Madison, Wisconsin
Who’s on first? Costello tries to figure out the names of the players on Chewbacca's team

Award-Winning Entry by Jeff Neuman, Denver, Colorado
Is it?

Toys in the Attic by Michael Burgan, West Haven, Connecticut
When David and his wife venture into his parents’ attic to find a childhood toy, they find it and a whole lot more.

The Covenant by Tim Bohn, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Smelt fishing on the shores of Lake Michigan can teach many lessons.

Context by John C. Davenport, Seattle, Washington
No need to read between the lines as a couple works through a painful break-up

Please Report Any Suspicious Activity by Rick Park of Boston, Mass.
On a Boston subway, “suspicious” is a relative term.

Bottom of the Ninth by Rand Higbee, Hager City, Wisconsin
It’s the bottom of the ninth with the winning run on second. What could be more important?

How Now, Brown Couch? by William S.E. Coleman, Des Moines, Iowa
Family and furniture collide over news of a very unexpected pregnancy.

The Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival is a competition of original 10 minute comedies. In the ultimate interactive experience, the audience can vote for the production they enjoyed the most. The votes will be tallied throughout the four week festival run, and the Snowdance “Best in Snow” will be awarded after the final performance on February 28th. A cash award of $300.00 goes to “Best in Snow”, with a $100.00 award going to both second and third place. OOHP presents Snowdance January 29 – February 28; they run four shows each weekend. Reservations are available at (262)632-6802.

Among the finalists are four previous Snowdance playwrights, including two winners. In addition, two of the finalists are former Racine residents.

The 2010 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival is sponsored by Minuteman Press. Rich Smith leads the Snowdance acting and directing ensemble, which also features John Adams, Tom Amacher, Barbara Akey, Brianna Hubbard, Emily Breiwick, Diane Carlson, Nathan Davis, Rick Ditter, Melissa Hughes Ernest, Brianna Hubbard, Mike Kishline, Mona Lewis, Chuck Lindas, Elizabeth McGregor, Joseph Piirto, Matt Rangel, and Ron Schulz. All five previous Snowdance Festivals played to sold out audiences. Previous competitions were produced by Time-Warner Cable for Wisconsin on Demand television after the run.