The 2026 One-Act Play Festival

The Manatee Performing Arts Center hosts the 2026 One-Act Play Festival, produced by Theatre Odyssey. Held at the Jane B. Cook Theatre, the theatrical event features four original, unproduced one-act plays selected from numerous submissions. A cast of local actors and directors brings these new works to life, offering a diverse range of themes and storytelling styles in a single program. Visitors will experience a showcase of emerging and established playwrights, culminating in the awarding of a cash prize to the author of the best play. The festival provides a platform for new dramatic voices and fresh theatrical performances.