Snowdance 2011 at the Sixth Street Theatre

Over Our Head Players will present their popular original comedy competition, the 2011 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival. 

These original comedies will be performed together by the OOHP Snowdance ensemble Jan. 28 to Feb. 27.  Due to its popularity, OOHPs has added a fifth weekend and Thursday evening performances.  All performances are at Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth Street, Downtown Racine.  At each performance, audience members can vote for their favorite individual comedy; the audience favorites win cash prizes.  Reservations are available through the box office, (262) 632-6802.  Tickets are $13 and $15.50.

The Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival is a competition of original short comedies. In the ultimate interactive experience, the audience can vote for the production they enjoyed the most. The votes will be tallied throughout the festival run, and the Snowdance “Best in Snow” will be awarded after the final performance February 27th.  A cash award of $300 goes to “Best in Snow”, with a $100 award going to both second and third place.

The Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy festival draws entrants and audiences from across the country, making Racine the home of the 10 minute comedy competition.  A Snowdance record 260 scripts from 36 states and three foreign countries entered the competition; the Snowdance selection committee chose these to compete in production. The winning titles and their authors:

Clown Therapy by Nina Mansfield, Greenwich, Connecticut

Frank is a bit of a clown.  And Maggie needs a marriage counselor.

 Family Spat by John Budge, Brooklyn, New York

Dad comes home from work with “special treats” for Mom and the kids.

 The Music That Dares Not Speak Its Name by Rand Higbee, Hager City, Wisconsin

The world needs to know about the dangers of this new music called “rock and roll.”

Sticky Buns by David Field, Palisades, California

Everyone loves sticky buns.

 Dr. Jellyfish O.B. by Mark Miller & Brooke Miller Hall, Racine, Wisconsin

The new O.B. is causing a rash of complaints at the hospital, and it’s the administrator’s problem now.

 The Fruits of War by Earl T. Roske, Fremont, California

Fruit!  Incoming!

 Japanese Schoolgirl Night by James McLindon, Northampton, Massachusetts

Melanie’s professor wants an explanation of last night’s events at the local townie bar, but she gets more answers than she needs.

 Jock Itch by George Sauer, Dedham, Massachusetts

Male unrest in a spinning class

 I Thought I Liked Girls by Nicole Pandolfo, New York, New York

Lucy is coming out – of something – and hopes the parents understand.

 Feeding The Reindeers by Trevor Suthers, Manchester, United Kingdom

Santa is having a crisis.  Will the elf and fairy be any help at all?

 Granny and the Little Man by Mary Tompsett, Racine, Wisconsin

Granny is babysitting but still finds time to wrap her leftovers … and more.

Snowdance has a unique energy that comes from the blend of theatre artistry and a commitment to fun, both on stage and for the audience.  With an international reputation and submissions from literally around the world, OOHPs takes Snowdance and the commitment to producing original comedy seriously.  Directors, actors, and designers bring their vision to original material, shaping comedies that have never been performed before.  But the key word is “comedy,” and the fun builds as the audience gets involved.

Artistic Director Rich Smith comments on the fusion of artistry and fun, “We have been fortunate to have so many talented and professional artists working on Snowdance each year - on stage and off stage. Everyone who works on Snowdance seems to take a special ownership in it.  We all love working with each other.  Plus, we all want the audiences’ votes, and there is a great energy created by that.  We often describe Snowdance performances as a party we get throw, and we just happen to have an audience watching us.”  In addition to the competing scripts, Snowdance will once again feature OOHPs’ signature “hijinx.” Audiences look forward to OOHPs’ between show “hijinx” - the mini-sketches that provide transition between the entrants. 

The unique festival feature is the ensemble approach.  Actors play multiple roles, and some of them are also part of the directing team.  The acting ensemble features John Adams, Melissa Hughes Ernest, Brandy Harrell, Brianna Hubbard, Mona Lewis, Matt “Chuey” Rangel, Ron Schulz, Jim Selovich, Rich Smith, and Barb Tylla. 

Michael Becker, Diane Carlson, Sea Daniel, Rick Ditter, Rich Smith, and Nathan C. Stamper share directing credit.  The production staff also includes Emily Breiwick, Janine Anderson, Kris Despin, Melissa Fleischman, Anna Clementi, Karen Hamilton, Chad Heinzelman, Jerry Horton, Christopher Larson, Joseph Piirto, Joan Roehre, Wendy Schulz, Jim Smith, and Tom Spraker.

The 2011 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival runs five weekends January 28, 29, 30; February 4, 5, 6; 11, 12, 13; 18, 19, 20; and 25, 26, 27.  It also runs Thursday February 3, 10, 17, and 24.  Fridays are at 8:00; Saturdays are at 5:30 and 8:00; Sundays are at 2:30; and the special Thursday performances are at 7:00.  Tickets are $15.50 on Fridays and Saturdays and $13.00 on Sundays and Thursdays.  For reservations, please call the box office, (262) 632-6802.  Tickets can also be purchased on line at www.overourheadplayers.org.  All performances are at Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth Street, Downtown Racine.  Advance reservations are recommended as performances sell out.  

The 2011 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival is sponsored by Minuteman Press. 

Over Our Head Players is a non-profit organization in their 18th season; they operate the Sixth Street Theatre in Downtown Racine.  OOHPs has a commitment to original theatre.  In addition to Snowdance, previous original works include Camp Nelson and sell-outs of It’s a Wonderful Lifeboat; “Original Ones”: Ode to Garlic, Waiting for the Weinermobile^TM, and Big Shoes; Still Haven’t Found...; and Real Remembrances of the War in Vietnam.  Their season will include The Smell of the Kill and Theatre Schmeatre, sketch comedy.