“Come play with us!” urged Playwright’s “On the Fringe” coordinator Julie Laidlaw—a plea that helped inspire 10 short plays and monologues that will be presented on San Juan Community Theatre’s Whittier stage Tuesday through Saturday, Sept. 22-26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Laidlaw’s goal for Playwrights “On the Fringe” is for island writers to have their voice heard and for director, actor and tech “newbies” to take the plunge and get involved. She says the variety of ages and skill levels has been impressive and noted a common theme of life, death and technology among several of the plays. “What writers are saying has a lot to do with modern technology, the direction society is heading and how we’re dealing with that,” said Laidlaw.

The festival has been divided into two acts in the six days it will be presented.

ACT I – Sept. 22, 24, 26

OUT OF AREA

Written by Stan Matthews     Directed by Julie Laidlaw

A couple’s attempt to discourage telemarketing calls helps them reconnect with each other.

Cast: Dorian Oliver, Lynda Guernsey

REVENGE OF THE LEAF BLOWER

Written by Suzie F. Hale    Directed by Elizabeth Anderson

Neatnik Celeste, empowered with a leaf blower, learns a divine truth.

Cast: Marcy Hahn

CHILD’S PLAY

Written by Mike Beuttell      Directed by Elizabeth Tarte

The outcome is unexpected when two Friday Harbor parents take away all electronic hand-held devices from their three children for an afternoon.

Cast: Debbi Fincher, Scott Dow, MacAlister Arendt, Elsedora Arendt, Luke Fincher

ROAD KILL (Presented as Readers Theatre)

Written by Lyne McPherson     Directed by Dorian Oliver

Two women on the road, gathering data for fun and profit

Cast: Cori Morrell, Shannon Kelley, Vanessa Johnson, John Cornell

MONA THE CAMEL

Written by Kevin Hillstrom      Directed by Debbie Fincher

Kyle reaches his tipping point about island change when he catches a woman feeding Mona the Camel.

Cast: Floyd Bourne, Cris DuVall, Elizabeth Tarte

ACT II – Sept. 23, 25, 27

COME DANCE WITH ME

Written by Jim and Jan Zurcher Directed by Jim Zurcher

A father’s love helps his daughter discover what’s important in life.

Cast: Duvie Dow, Greg Swinford, MacAlister Arendt, Stephen Moore

NO REDO

Written by Cinda Pierce Directed by Julie Laidlaw

A monologue in which a grandmother muses on a serious conversation she had with her young grandson and the influence of social media on children.

Cast: Maureen See

HEART SONG

Written by Patricia Hansen Directed by Bobby Ryan

It was love at first sight. Seventy-five years later, he writes her a song to tell her he wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to “do all the good times, all over again.”

Cast: Patricia Hansen, Bobby Ryan, Dennis Busse, Madelyn Busse

VAN

Written by Dorian Oliver Directed by Stan Matthews

A mysterious man shows a single mother and her son that even familiar things may not be what they appear to be.

Cast: Cori Morrell, Scott Mapstead, Zach Fincher, Floyd Bourne

THE SEA COW SOCIETY (Presented as Readers Theatre)

Written by Wendy E. Shepard

In a dream, an extinct sea cow visits three people from different centuries to help human society remember how to evolve in a positive manner.

Cast: Elizabeth Anderson, Fiona Small, Josh Boland, Tyler Strasser

The Business Partner for the 2015 “On the Fringe” is Islanders Bank.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students for each performance (there is a 10% discount when purchasing tickets for both acts at the box office).  The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  378-3210 or www.sjctheatre.org