Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

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

“Split in Two” by Tylon Pierre-Williams

Submitted to Contest #123

I was never the guy they thought i was, but i doubt anyone noticed. I went to that school due to the mere fact of distance, my old school was too far. Travelling had become a nuisance, so my mother and I decided it would be best for me to attend an institution closer to home. It was a great start in my second year of high school. Luckily a long time friend of mine from elementary, went to that school . She told everyone that i'd transferring to their school that year and she happened to be very popular, so I was welcomed with open arms. I ...

Read story

“Boyshort Dissonance” by Lydi B

Submitted to Contest #123

To the tune of buttons and zippers tumbling in dryers, I typed an irresistible message into my phone screen.Me: He just shoved his jeans in washer number 6As expected, my bestie’s reply buzzed less than a minute later.Brandi: Whaaat??? Better not be screwing with me, FlissI grinned as he pushed the button to start his load. Turning my back, I snapped a picture of him through my armpit. My flowy sleeve and long ginger waves obstructed half the shot, but Mr. Slim-Dark-And-Toned was discernible enough. I sent the image.Brandi: OMG Keep. Him. Th...

Read story

“Dramatic ASF” by Paige Johnston

Submitted to Contest #123

Well, that was dramatic. Perhaps I should take you back to the buildup of the current situation. Precisely one hundred and twenty minutes ago when Tristan and Adley Griffin had their most contentious fight after being married only seventeen hours. You see… it all started on Wednesday afternoon, yes, these two married on a Tuesday but that is not the point. Tristan wanted to surprise Adley with some news, news that he was very excited about and thought she would be too but alas, she was not. Tristan walked in the door, holding a medium-sized ...

Read story

“"Words"” by Lucinda Sloan

Submitted to Contest #123

Words Lucinda Heck Sloan She stood for what seemed hours before the mirror without doing a thing. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. All she could see what the uvula at the back of her mouth. She thought hers was too big and immediately closed her mouth. Trying some vocal warmups that she had learned in a theatre class, she hummed, buzzed, and did some tongue twisters. She took deep breaths as she raised her hands above her head and exhaled slowly as she lowered them. These did help her relax, but the tension i...

Read story

“The Mirror” by Linda Serrata

Submitted to Contest #123

As I stand here in front of the dressing room mirror rehearsing the TED Talk that is my story, my nightmare, and my reality, I realize I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me. I look tired, worn, and a whole lot older than what I did five years ago, before my nightmare and awakening. Before I lost my Chloe, my husband, and the life I was going through but not living. I stare at the scar that runs across my left cheek. It has become my identity and a constant reminder of what I have lost and what I have gained. I close my eyes ...

Read story

“Acting General Raemond” by Lynne Taylor

Submitted to Contest #123

Tired eyes glared back at him through the mirror. The emerald color seems to have faded, while the wrinkles around them only grew more prominent. His dark brown hair was in shambles, flayed left and right. He sighed and closed his eyes. “This will be the last day.” He said softly. “The last act.” His eyes opened slowly. After taking a long look at himself, he straightened his back and took several deep breaths. Each on...

Read story

“Tamora” by Roland Hacker

Submitted to Contest #123

“There’s someone with a delivery for the play director around back of the theater, Jerry,” “Thanks, I’ll be there in a sec,” replied Jerry. No matter his preparation or instruction, show days always proved to be the most chaotic and hectic on the schedule. The delivery being referenced was a day late, assuming Jerry was guessing correctly what he’d find behind the building. Samantha, the female lead portraying Tamora, was already half an hour late for make-up. He’d caught two stagehands, Zach and Eddie, firing up a spliff in the bathroom...

Read story

“limelight puppets” by Amanda Raynor

Submitted to Contest #123

Theatre was my life. I was a Kean for God’s sake. My ancestors acted for Shakespeare. I mean, I debuted Hamlet at Covent Garden for the Prince. But, I must sorely admit my limelight fading; all but extinguished some would say. I assure you, it had absolutely nothing to do with waning talent-those stories you hear of old actors hanging on beyond their worth, becoming clichéd caricatures of themselves-that is not the tale told here. A minor in-house scandal, then a spreading gossip plagued through the community, an unfounded defamation of my i...

Read story

“Backstage v/s Life’s Stage” by Peter Schaper

Submitted to Contest #123

I fell in love with theatre when I was nine years old, acting and singing in my first ever school concert. I was a shy child, a tag-along kid, an outsider even in my birth family, but on stage I was somebody else, and I enjoyed the interaction with the audience. It wasn’t about celebrity, it really was about acting, about playing a role. I was good at that, and I loved doing it.In High School I played Gilbert & Sullivan: a policeman in The Pirates of Penzance and the Duke of Plaza Toro in The Gondoliers. In the Port Moresby Arts Council ...

Read story

“Claire-A-Belle Theatre” by Tanya Forsyth Taylor

Submitted to Contest #123

A solitary lady stood on the catwalk six metres above the show. She gazed down, making out the figures on the stage below. Heat rose around her as the suspended lights glowed brightly. The bridge walkway both alarmed and exhilarated her, even after all the years being a part of the theatre. She giggled, remembering the fear she once felt on the catwalk. Her manager would make her come up whenever she made a mistake in her work at the theatre. ‘Claire, if you are to learn focus, you must develop discipline. Up you go and close the barn doors...

Read story

“Gustav's Monologue” by Jeremiah Benson

Submitted to Contest #123

It's something about the way he moves, I swear.See, right there! The way his heel slightly elevated off the floor, it was masterful.Take notes fellas, we're watching a genius of theater in the flesh.I hope he stays longer, he said he's only going to be here for a couple of shows.I can feel myself getting better already. His presence is rubbing off.Yeah, me too.Silence, he's about to perform the monologue.Gosh he's amazing.At the end of Gustav's performance, all the actors and actresses left the vicinity. There was no use, they thought, indee...

Read story

“A bridge too far” by Mike Ross

Submitted to Contest #123

A bridge too far “Oh hell, no, no, please no,” her inner voice screams; however, she hears herself saying: “Of course, no problem, give me a few seconds to sort myself out.” But it is a problem. She had spotted him making his way up to the stage and was uncertain of what to make of him. He was unsteady on his feet, needing to rest his hand on a chair once or twice to steady himself; she assumed he’d been drinking but was not yet drunk – the worst kind. There were actually more than one problem to deal with; the bitter tang of cheap whisky ...

Read story

“THE BOX” by Sally Moore

Submitted to Contest #123

THE BOX I knew I shouldn’t have done it the moment I did it. I’m ahead of myself, however, so I shall begin at the beginning. Months ago I stood backstage crying. Apparently crying is obligatory for me at the end of each performance and this, the last performance of the season, required copious tears. Of course, a tale of death lends itself quite well to grief, especially the death of such a young martyr accused of witchcraft. They had nothing to accuse her of except for possession of the box. Now our entire troupe was return...

Read story

“Friendships Like Flowers” by Eric Raymond

Submitted to Contest #123

Friendships Like Flowers by E. Ray Morse John Herlihy stood at the edge of the stage, the only sign of human life at the off-off-Broadway venue, the Vineyard Theater. Onstage, a single Ghost Light illuminated Herlihy’s lean body, casting a shadow with hands in pockets and a steady straight mid-Western posture. Glancing ...

Read story

“Thou masquerade: a performance of a lifetime” by X Rat

Submitted to Contest #123

This story contains mentions of physical and sexual violence, if said content is triggering or you do not wish to engage in it then please read another wonderful piece on this site instead. Reader discretion is advised.***To act is my only birthright; an instinct given to but creatures such as myself to survive.A gift anointed to I through hardships remains all of my power dote. An ability to shapeshift held in my measly palm. May I need to camouflage from the eyes of predators can I then contort to something more desirable to what I c...

Read story

Load more stories

$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!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢