TITLES, CASTS AND DIRECTORS ANNOUNCED FOR SHORT ATTENTION SPAN THEATRE 2026

(left to right) Allison Jones, Addyson Crooks, and Michael Tucker rehearse a 2026 Short Attention Span Theatre play, “An Adventure in Forms”, at the Garfield Center.

The Garfield Center for the Arts is excited to continue its popular yearly presentation, “Short Attention Span Theatre”, opening June 19th. The GCA’s annual short play program had its earliest roots in 2005, when it was called “8x10 - The 10-Minute Play Project”. The name was changed to “Short Attention Span Theatre” in 2008. 

Over the years, “Short Attention Span Theatre” (“SAST”) has seen both the premiere of many original plays by local playwrights as well as featured the performances of hundreds of local actors. In the tradition of past presentations, this year’s plays offer a diverse set of styles and storylines. 

The production is produced by Mark Sullivan, and the Sponsors are Gillespie & Son, Inc., and Moorhouse Electrical Services. 

Director Brianna Johnson is presenting two pieces this year. In “Anniversary”, a comedy by Sam Wallin from Bellingham, Washington, Julia and Derek’s Anniversary gift exchange become hilariously contentious. Jasmine Schaeffer plays Julia, Chris Neiman plays Derek, and Addyson Crooks plays a singing telegram deliverer. 

In Johnson’s second piece, “O Burgled Companion, Thou Hast Pilfered Mine Heart”, by playwright David Lipschutz from Chicago, Illinois, a simple burglary takes a completely unexpected and shockingly hilarious turn. Playing Goober is Chris Neiman, and playing Knuckles is Dominic Delcoco. 

Sophia Rooks is the director for “Cue” by playwright Kate Danley, a resident of Everett, Washington. Taking place on the set of a community theatre play, John and Mary are in the middle of a romantic scene, but have to scramble when their scene partner keeps missing his cue. The cast includes Dominic Delcoco as John, Jasmine Shaeffer as Mary, and Monty Eskew as Tom. 

Director Mary Poorman presents “An Adventure in Forms”, a play by Christian Neuhaus of Madison, Wisconsin. In the comedy, an outsider bringing a form to a strange office is almost undone by a series of comically surreal bureaucratic encounters. In the cast are Paul Briggs as Brand, Addyson Crooks as Hayworth, Allison Jones as Foster, and Michael Tucker as Rankin. 

John Mann directs “Haunting Kathy”, by Brian Petti, a playwright from Warwick, New York. In this dark comedy, a woman tries to navigate nightmarish visitors, including a clown, her second-grade bully, a creep who tried to pick her up hitchhiking and her dead Mom. Playing Kathy is Amanda Fry, playing the Clown is Michael Tucker, Playing Cynthia is Harlynn Crew, playing the Creep is Ron Walton, and playing Mom is Adrienne Wrona. 

Allison Jones directs “But That’s Okay”, a play by Jenny Mead of Charlottesville, Virginia. Set in a bar, Jeff and Jane meet, they fall in love, and the rest, of course, is their entire history together. Performing the role of Jeff is Thomas Martinez, Brianna Johnson plays Jane, and Monty Eskew is the Server.

The Garfield Center’s Executive Director, Steven Arnold, will also present two plays this year. In “Something is Rotting on the Stage of Genmark”, a comedy by playwright Ken Preuss of Oviedo, Florida, an audition for Hamlet at Glenmark College goes comically awry as it becomes a matter of life and death… and afterlife. The role of Vincent is played by Cannon Heriz-Smith and the role of The Professor is played by Allison Jones. 

Arnold’s other piece is “Godot, Act 3”, a hilariously absurdist play by Ira Hauptman of New York, New York. In the play, the “Waiting for Godot” characters, Vladimir and Estragon, are shocked when Godot finally arrives… followed by Broadway’s Annie and Sandy. Playing the role of Vladimir is Ian Stotts, performing as Estragon is Thomas Martinez, playing the character of Godot is Chip Watterson, and Harlynn Crew plays Annie. 

Short Attention Span Theatre opens June 19th and runs three weekends through July 5th, with performances at 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 PM on Sundays. There will be no performance on Saturday, July 4th, so there is an added performance on Thursday, July 2nd at 8 PM. Tickets may be purchased online at www.eventbrite.com/e/1990652149165, or by visiting www.garfieldcenter.org where there is a ticketing link, or via our Box Office hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 AM to 3 PM. Ticket buyers may also either stop in at the theatre during Box Office hours or call at 410-810-2060.