Ten plays. Ten minutes each. One unforgettable night of creativity, talent and storytelling.

Grosse Pointe Theatre will present its 12th annual Take Ten: Ten-Minute Play Festival, a two-night event on June 12-13 at Christ Church Grosse Pointe’s Undercroft. For $15, theatergoers will witness 10 short, original plays that capture the heart of this year’s theme: “Rockin’ Through Life.”

“This isn’t just a quirky theme,” says festival producer Stella Woitulewicz of Macomb Township. “It’s an invitation for playwrights to consider the rhythm and movement of life — the highs and lows — and explore what it means to keep rocking through it all. We’ve been amazed by the creative interpretations of that idea.”

Behind the theme

“We always try to find ways to differentiate the festival each year,” said Woitulewicz, who is both the event’s producer and the director of one of the plays. “A couple of years ago, we started exploring the idea of anchoring the festival around a single set piece. Mary Lou Britton threw out the idea of a rocking chair, and it just stuck. It was different — and it gave playwrights something tangible and metaphorical to play with.”

This year’s theme narrowed the focus and gave writers a jumping-off point. “Last year, the theme was broader. This time, we wanted something more specific to spark creativity and keep entries centered.”

So, how do you tell a full story in 10 minutes?

“It’s actually really challenging,” Woitulewicz said. “These plays are shorter, sure, but they’re complete stories. You have to stay laser-focused. We limit the number of characters so that relationships stay central, and there has to be conflict — whether it’s between people or against an outside force — and some form of resolution. You’ve only got 10 minutes to make the audience care.”

Character development, too, must happen quickly. “There’s no time for small talk or setup,” she explained. “The characters are thrown into the story right away, and their backstory has to come through in what they say and do. It’s all about showing, not telling.”

Submissions go through a careful selection process.

“We get a large number of entries. We check that they meet our guidelines, fit the theme, and reflect the spirit of Grosse Pointe Theatre. Then we send the best to a panel of independent judges, who help us choose the final 10,” she said.

That “spirit” of GPT is important, she adds. “We’re a family-oriented organization known for quality. Not everything is G-rated, but we want our work to reflect the values and caliber people expect from Grosse Pointe Theatre.”

As for what audiences can expect?

“They’re going to laugh, maybe cry. They’ll see a wide variety of stories and styles — something heartfelt, something funny, something surprising. That’s what makes this festival so wonderful. Ten plays, 10 minutes each, and each one with something different to say.”

The festival, which began over a decade ago as an internal creative challenge among Grosse Pointe Theatre members, has grown into a global event. This year’s submissions — 144 from across the U.S. and abroad — were narrowed down through a rigorous process involving a panel of independent judges. The 10 selected plays will be performed both nights on a minimalist black-box stage, making transitions seamless and emphasizing storytelling over spectacle.

For Patricia A. Ellis, who serves as the festival’s publicity chair and is also a featured playwright, this event is a labor of love.

“I’ve been part of the festival for five years, and it’s one of the most rewarding creative experiences I’ve had,” said Ellis, whose play “A Man Called Joe” is based on a true story. “There’s something uniquely powerful about telling a complete story, with character, conflict and resolution, in just 10 minutes. It sharpens your skills and deepens your appreciation for what theatre can do.”

Ellis notes the program has evolved to include submissions from first-time writers and veteran playwrights alike, including several from Michigan.

“Last year, we had just one local playwright in the top 10. This year, we have several,” she said. “It’s exciting to see our local talent shine.”

Woitulewicz, who is also directing Ellis’s play, first became involved after attending an early festival. “I was so inspired by what I saw that I signed up for one of the playwriting workshops led by Mary Lou Britton,” she said. “Now, I help facilitate those same workshops, and it’s incredible to watch people discover their creative voice, sometimes for the first time.”

The festival is truly a community effort. All participants, from playwrights to directors to actors and stage crew, are volunteers. Among this year’s featured plays are “Go Back Go Back” by Matthew Moore of Roseville, “The Truth Will Set You Free” by Arlene Pollock of Clawson, and “Not Exactly” by Dan Woitulewicz, who is both a playwright and director this season. The entire lineup offers a wide spectrum of genres, tones and storytelling styles from drama and mystery to heartwarming comedy.

“We created this program to encourage participation in all aspects of theater, especially writing,” Ellis said. “Theatre is about collaboration, and the festival offers a platform for people of all experience levels to come together and create something meaningful.”