Flash festival has 10 short plays

The Woy Woy Little Theatre 2016 Flash Festival will consist of 10 short plays performed by 24 Central Coast actors.

The Flash festival will run four sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 1 to 3.

Many of the plays feature comedy, while some tackle a range of issues from conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of US President John Kennedy to the plight of refugees.

Co-ordinator Ms Fran Armstrong said: "The Woy Woy Little Theatre invests heavily in the Flash concept to encourage and develop local writers, directors and actors and bring great entertainment to the Coast."

The Flash workshops held leading up to the festival are run by professional tutors who mentor local artists.

Supported by the Central Coast Council, the Woy Woy Theatre pays for the workshops and hires the Peninsula Theatre for weeks in preparation for the Flash Festival.

"It costs us many thousands of dollars, money we do not recoup through ticket sales and don't expect to," Ms Armstrong said.

"To get Flash to the Peninsula Theatre stage takes many hours and the efforts of between 70 and 80 people," she said.

"This year alone there have been 35 writers, four play assessors, 10 directors, 24 actors, two judges, one lighting and sound operator, one stage manager and one assistant stage manager.

"Those figures don't include the Woy Woy Little Theatre committee members who quietly make everything happen behind the scenes." Ms Armstrong said.

The Woy Woy theatre also donates a $500 cash prize to the best non-musical presentation at the annual Gosford Rotary YIPA event at Laycock Street Theatre.

Media release: 17 June 2016

David Wicks, Woy Woy Little Theatre