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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#123: Showtime

It’s no secret that the colder months are the best time to grab tickets to see a show; it’s a festive tradition, and many of our favorite plays actually made their debuts during this time. (Fun fact! It was on this day 74 years ago that Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire was performed on Broadway for the first time.)

From the roar of the audience to the dazzling lights, there’s nothing quite like it. It’s that theater spirit, and a simple love of drama, that inspired us to create this week’s prompts. So let’s celebrate all things theatrical both on-stage and off, with stories that’ll get your audience crying, laughing, and (hopefully) giving a standing ovation.

This week's prompts

Start your story looking down from a stage.

Thriller and Suspense – 56 stories

Write about a character who always wears a mask (physical or metaphorical).

Angst – 48 stories

Begin or end your story with “Well, that was dramatic.”

Christmas – 40 stories

Write a story about a character practising a speech in front of the mirror. What are they preparing for?

Middle School – 38 stories

Set your story backstage at the theater.

Halloween – 30 stories

Stories

“Looking for Seal Pups” by Maria Dios

Submitted to Contest #123

“Well, that was dramatic!” said Jake, as he opened his sleepy eyes and saw his friend sitting at his bedside. Jake did not realize that he was in a bed in a small rural hospital in a small town in Scotland. He felt a pang over his right eye and fell back into sleep again. “He’s awake!” cried Matt. “Doctor he said something!” The doctor appeared at the door. “Yes, it’s common in these cases for patients to wake for a few moments and then drop back into sleep.” Matt watched his friend. Jake had been given pain killers. The ...

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“Theater blues” by Stephany Rabb

Submitted to Contest #123

“Well that was dramatic!” But then Maureen always was a drama queen. I don’t know why she’s acting this way. She didn’t even want the part. Or did she? It was that time of year again. The time of year when the school put on their annual play. This year they were doing Romeo and Juliet. Mrs. Rollins , who is the head of the drama department had just posted the date and times for auditions on the hallway wall next to her office. “Are you going to audition this year?” I asked Maureen. “I don’t know. I was thinking of trying ou...

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“The Person in the Mirror and I” by Kelly Steele

Submitted to Contest #123

Still in my pajamas as I paced back and forth on the frost-bitten front porch while running the dogs, I wasn't focused on where my feet were. One moment I am watching a thousand thoughts run through my pain, and the next - I must have looked like one of those inflatable air dancers as I ungracefully failed at the splits. My left leg went forward, my right knee banged into something non-existent, and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I have never been flexible enough to do anything more than a wide-legged squat. And I haven't atte...

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“The Break-Up” by Tabetha Wilson

Submitted to Contest #123

“It’s not you, it’s me.” I examine the mirror, practicing my look of contrition. Down a little at the corners of the mouth. Lower the eyebrows, smaller eyes. There it is! Perfect form. Hold it. If only I could cry. That would really complete the effect… normally it doesn’t take much. I’m a naturally weepy person, but for some reason I’m really struggling today. Honestly, it should be fine, I’ll keep trying. He gets here in an hour. I have time, and this needs to be flawless. “We’ve had a good run, and I’m grateful for you.” It’s hard to hold...

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“Speak with Conviction” by Charlotte Lewis

Submitted to Contest #123

“This is idiotic, Eileen. Why should I practice this speech in front of a mirror? I know exactly what I want to say. I don't even need notes.” Tom Raddison is in front of the hall mirror muttering to himself. “I feel like a damn fool looking at myself.” His wife came from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron as she walks. “Tom, I know you know what you want to say. It's not what you're saying that you need practice on.” “Then just what the hell do I need practice on?” Tom looks at her. “This seems so stupid. Talking to myself in t...

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“The Blessing of Being Shunned” by CJ Asher

Submitted to Contest #123

Disfellowshipped. Shunned. Cut off. Leaving her religion meant leaving her mom, dad and younger sister. This is what would soon happen if she didn’t convince them to leave the cult along with her by order of the religious leaders. Sweat dripped down her back as well as pooling under her armpits. How in the hell was she going to convince her parents of anything when she was sweating so incessantly? This she wondered as she dabbed her forehead with a napkin. At twenty three years old, Ginevra thought she had it all figured out. Now she was col...

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“She stood in front of the mirror” by Julie Shaw

Submitted to Contest #123

She stood in front of the mirror, trying to focus on the words and not her reflection. She wanted to get it right. Ending a marriage is no small task, and it was important that he hear and understand what she was hoping to convey. During their 11 years together, she had rarely felt heard or understood by her husband, so it was unlikely that this would be an exception. She knew it. She needed, however, for him to receive her comments with empathy and compassion despite the hurt that they may impart. This, of course, was an exercise in futilit...

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“Scripted” by Annemarie Wall

Submitted to Contest #123

These eyes linger across the wooden panels that make for slippery steps each time I glide from up- to downstage. Tripping over words and cursing self when balance is lost and eloquence stretches beyond reach. “Who will I be today?”The curtain draws near, with only an hour to finalize preparations, perfect the monologue and hope the words land in favor of winner’s fate. Beyond the looking glass, fear reigns supreme. “Can I do this?” “There’s no time for that. I must do this.”“Deep breath. ...

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“HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY” by Debbie Curtin

Submitted to Contest #123

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY ___________________________________________ This quote is beholding to a few gentlemen, many, many years ago, who are remembered for stating these mindful words. Benjamin Franklin comes to mind first and foremost, as he used them in moments of sound reflection of the meaning. I admired his spirit to honor to our homeland, the United States of America, as he did more than many to pave the way in seeing this great nation come to its fruition of becoming the land of the free and the home of the brave. I needed to refl...

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“Cleaning out my closet” by Lisa Roberts

Submitted to Contest #123

My daily struggle between hope and inertia begins. Placing a small bet on hope, I get out of bed. Standing in my flannel nightgown in front of the full-length mirror I smooth down the left side of my collar until it is perfectly smooth. Next, I straighten each pearl button. The last button refuses to stay upright, I yank it off. I throw it at the wall, leaving a small chip in the wallboard. I pull my nightgown over my head, and toss it on the floor. I go into the bathroom and stare at my faded eyes, crows feet, the p...

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“The Night Before” by Billy Chung

Submitted to Contest #123

(TW: Death) The Night Before “I remember you.” Sylvie, if you were alive to hear it, you’d probably hate that ending. You despised the clichéd, the trite, the predictable – in everything you touched, saw, smelled, and heard. No salad dressing was left untasted; when you’d had your fill of ranch and raspberry vinaigrette, you begged me to sneak you a bottle of Thousand Island. No one was safe from your screams during movie nights at the shelter. Die Hard 2 was especially difficult to sit through with you. Goddamn John McClane saves the da...

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“Teaching English Was Her Second Calling” by Tom Moser

Submitted to Contest #123

I told myself to practice the longest and most difficult of my lines ten times in the mirror before I could go to the easy lines. She said practicing in the mirror was the best way to memorize while also getting used to having an audience. How I got myself into the role of a thespian in a high school play was still a mystery. I was sure Ernest W. Stanley, who I was cast to play in The Man Who Came to Dinner, would have sympathy for my bewilderment. The performances were all scheduled, tickets printed, costumes selected, and my name was in th...

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“Six and A Half Drafts” by CJ Rodgers

Submitted to Contest #123

“At 7:40 yesterday morning—no no no…” He took a deep breath and tried again. “Yesterday morning, a tragedy struck and—no, I can’t do that. Panic is not what we need right now.” The mirror didn’t offer any constructive criticism as he looked into it. All it showed was his tired face and new wrinkles. He grimaced and rubbed at the crows feet at the side of his eyes. Perhaps he ought to take Ellie up on her offer of some night cream. He sighed and tried not to meet his own gaze in the mirror. Eye contact with himself was unnerving. Instead he ...

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“The Wrong Kind Of Love” by Mark Nero

Submitted to Contest #123

Drama, drama, drama… It’s ironic that even though I was an aspiring actor, I normally shied away from drama. I liked to use the word ‘aspiring’ rather than ‘tried to be’ or ‘hoped to be’ because, it sounded grander, but I’ve tried to become an actor for some time now – hoping for a big break. I thought that part of my problem was that I’m Japanese, as it limited the roles that I could be considered for. There weren’t many directors or producers who thought that I’d be suitable to play Hamlet… or Macbeth but I can’t stop trying. Not yet… ...

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“Under the Floorboards” by Danielski Belski

Submitted to Contest #123

Oohs and Aahs that dissipated from the air carry me to the back of the stage with an arm around my waist. But right when I get behind the curtain the arm of the man who loved me on stage now walks away to a group of people. There’s a tugging feeling in my chest though I should be happy everything went so well. His slim figure and bright eyes gleam with the light that seeps through the panels of the stage as he glances at me. On stage, you would think that we are each other's lives when in reality, I don’t even know him. Sometimes it’s hard t...

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$250

Prize money

212

Contest entries

133

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 10, 2021 EST

Won by Patrick Samuel 🏆

Title: Southern Comfort and the Kindness of Strangers

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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