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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

“I am the Beast” by Alyissa M. Lore

Submitted to Contest #123

For twenty years I’ve played the beast and I would have played it for another hundred given the opportunity. I stubbed the smoldering cigarette into the ashtray and watched the lit orange embers turn cold while waiting in my dressing room.“Do you ever wish you could play the hero?” Reporters had asked me in the far and few interviews I had been selected to do. “Never in a million years.” I answered. I’ll admit, there was a certain level of anonymity in playing a role where I had to wear a mask. No one cheered for me like they cheer...

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“As It Is In The Loony Bin, So It Is In The Chambers” by Philip Ebuluofor

Submitted to Contest #123

I heard that the people who found romance in the pages of Mills and Boon can’t speak the words of their own. I don’t know how true that assertion is for I don’t know Mills and Boon and I don’t know romance. If ever I am force to make a choice, I will for sure lean on the part of the assertion. How else would you explain the fact that almost all our public figures are victims of that very act, not only those in love or in search of it but our politicians should be the yardstick to measure that assertion if you are interested. President Ob...

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“Home Sweet Home” by Lucy G

Submitted to Contest #123

Well, that was dramatic. The last fifteen minutes of that phone call got us nowhere. We can never agree on a damn thing. How I wish I still had my old razor from 2008 so my mother could feel the anger seething within me as I violently slam my phone shut. What good did an end button do when one needed to convey such strong negative emotions? My eyelids droop heavily with exhaustion as I fight the temptation to pull over and rest. The need to fall into a deep sleep and resume driving in the morning is an all-consuming temptation....

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“Night at the Ballet” by L.J Sunwing

Submitted to Contest #123

The overture is chaotic and is thick in the theatre. From the ground level seats, it is overwhelming but the nosebleed seats allow it to be quieter and drummed out. The box overlooks the stage in a regal way. The stage itself is lit with the vibrancy of the gold and red curtain. The columns in the ballet itself are grand and secure. The onlooker seems far away from the very small performers that will soon enter the stage. As though the man had paid to be royalty for a night and ruled over the rest of the cast members of the ballet, he pats t...

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“Broken Wishes” by Ezra Bicknell

Submitted to Contest #123

Imagine waking up, and slapping your alarm clock. Just like any other kid, you finally get the blaring alarm to stop making devil noises and rise from your bed. Tired and sleepy thoughts cloud your mind like soup, the cold of your bedroom washing over you like a geyser. Thoughts drift through your mind like fog. Did you do your homework? Did you fold your laundry? Did you remember to clean your room? You finally stand, and clumsily stumble over to your dresser, where your mother has picked out your clothes: a loose t-shirt, and sweatpants. Y...

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“Along Came Sally” by Amy Morton

Submitted to Contest #123

As was usual on a Tuesday night, William had stayed behind in the cafe after closing time to sort through the leftover croissants and tarts. He yawned as he took one of the last trays out of the display cabinet, carrying it around the register and placing it on one of the last free tables.Every week, an hour after closing, Will opened the doors of his cafe to the homeless.He glanced up at the clock and saw that he had only a few minutes until the first of these needy people would turn up at the door. Once the door was propped open with the s...

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“Debut Under the Big Top” by Jamie Gregory

Submitted to Contest #123

[CW: The death of a parent is mentioned.] I stood with my feet firmly planted on the small wooden platform twenty feet above the ring and the surrounding crowd. My sweaty, shaking hands gripped the railings beside me in an attempt to steady my trembling body. I looked down, but only with my eyes since I was too afraid to move my head. The ringmaster pranced to the center of the ring to introduce the next act, my act. This time yesterday I was trudging home from the coal mine, covered head to toe in soot, and praying that my days wo...

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“Behind His Mask” by Mae Siu-Wai Stroshane

Submitted to Contest #123

On a blustery day in December of 1888, Joseph Merrick, better known as “The Elephant Man,” sat reading beside the fire in his cozy room in the London Hospital. Unlike regular patients who were admitted, treated and released to home or death, Joseph was a permanent resident. His extreme disfigurement frightened people so much he had to wear a mask when he ventured into public. One of his managers in the circus had made it for him.His custom-designed mask consisted of an enormous yachting cap, large enough to fit his head that measured a ...

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“Chase The Aurora ” by Drew Beattie

Submitted to Contest #123

“Well, that was dramatic, Jesus!” Simon remarks.As he watches my dog Parker, trip and tumble down the stairs like an out of control avalanche, in excitement to see him, walk through the front door. “Oh fantastic your here! Are the others ready?? I ask.Let’s go!“Yes there all outside, Jennifer don’t forget your camera!” Simon shouts to me.“Okay, I’m just looking for my old lenses!” God dam it! The mess of which I call my bedroom, has now come back to haunt me!How do I manage to lose everything, in five minutes?!?“Ah I found them!” I shou...

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“The Purple Rock” by Melony Beard

Submitted to Contest #123

Henry Tiller's evil heckle rose above the others. I had one simple line in the Christmas play and somehow, for the third time this week, I managed to mess that up. "It's a Christmas m... marble." I stuttered. "Miracle. Catherine. The word is miracle." Ms. Haywood's gentle voice whispered. Though the eyes in the crowd seemed to burn holes through my skin, my body shivered in the freezing air of the auditorium. I closed my eyes and tried to hide from the gawking faces staring back at me. I whispered, “Miracle.” Thankfully, it’s the la...

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“One Final Act” by James Grasham

Submitted to Contest #123

Harry didn’t get nervous. Back home he was known as Harry the Hammer, solid and reliable no matter what needed to be done. So why was he shaking now? He couldn’t even hold the dagger the old man had given him for protection. Why did he even need to protect himself on this job? Who was the old man? So many questions flooded his mind making it hard to concentrate on his plan. It was pitch black in the tiny cupboard he’d hidden himself in at the back of the dressing room. Waiting for the cast to head onto the stage, he tried to slow his raci...

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“Maskulinity” by Dean Holmes

Submitted to Contest #123

Trigger/Content Warning:Suicidal Ideation, Implied Suicide, Referenced Abuse/Violence, Transphobia, Misogyny, Mental Health Issues.-----Drawing under her lid, Jasmine’s arm shook, interrupting the delicate stream of black. She attempted to steady her right hand with the left, drilling her elbows down and muttering, “C’mon. You can do this. It’s just eyeliner.” But a zigzag betrayed her fear and Jasmine tossed the pencil down with a heavy sigh. Damn it.Breathe. Just breathe. It’ll be okay. At this point, Jasmine knew whether she got the makeu...

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“Will The Real Jarvis Please Stand Up?” by Words By Mary Isaboke

Submitted to Contest #123

They met quite by accident while standing in line at an ice ceam shopee. He was dressed in capris and a mid-drift top with his hair swinging freely behind him. She thought to herself, I think he always wears a mask. It is on now. Look at that eye shadow and lipstick. He is a concealer. Mia, a twenty year old African American female, was dressed in a mini skirt and tank top. He appeared to be around her age. She was immediately impressed with his style of dress. Three other individuals were in front of them. Mia said to him, Jarvis, "I like y...

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“Madness & Melancholy” by Eric Falvey

Submitted to Contest #123

TW: Language, Substance abuse. Ben Stein said it best as "Dr. Arthur Newman" in the movie The Mask. "We all wear masks, metaphorically speaking.I suppose for me, it all began as a child. My father was not a particularly nice human being. He often showed his affection for his family with a flurry of fists, but it didn't stop there. He was master of gaslighting, and after a beating, he would whisper in our ears with a brand of brutal magic that made us believe that what had just happened was our fault. We did this to ourselves, because we were...

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“Violets are Blue” by Bobbie Candas

Submitted to Contest #123

VIOLETS ARE BLUE I stood in front of the mirror smiling, practicing a few opening lines. “P-p-professor Hirshfield, g-g-good to see…” No, I should use nice to see you. Gs are always tough. “Nice to see you. I love your new office s-s-space.” No need for space. Just say I love your new office. That works. Keep it simple and keep practicing. Mother would be proud; although she thinks me awkward, graceless, socially challenged, but always has hope for improvement. I’m not quite so harsh,...

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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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