The Theater Project's Third Annual THINK FAST Competition Set for 2/19-21

Which play will be voted Audience Favorite - the drama about Syrian refugees, the millennial romance, or the satire about censorship? And which author will take the $500 Judge's Pick Award - the psychologist or the software developer, the teacher or the film director? (In this business, everybody needs a day job!)

Join The Theater Project, a professional theater in Maplewood, NJ, when they showcase eight short plays in their third annual one-act competition,THINK FAST, February 19-21, 2016 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. The contest, open to playwrights in the New Jersey-New York area, invites the audience to vote for their favorite short play. Votes are tallied and winners announced at an open reception following the Sunday afternoon performance.

"It's not going to be an easy decision," says artistic director Mark Spina. "We have an especially strong line-up, with a great variety of themes and characters. We are thrilled that so many terrific writers wanted to participate."

The company invited submissions last fall, and chose eight finalists to present their work. This year's plays include: "White Roux" by Stephen Bracco, "Father Knows Best" by Joshua Kaplan, "Bimbo Feminist" by Alisa Snider, "Posturing" by Jason Kurtz, "Two Women in Budapest" by Mary Teitelbaum, "The Literary Merit of People's Exhibit One" by Zames Curran, "The Wink" by Jonathan Citron and "90 Days" by Rolando Sanchez.

"Seeing the work of new artists brings out the artist in each one of us," said Spina. "At a time when budgets for the arts and arts education are ever-shrinking, The Theater Project continues to provide outlets for actors, writers and directors as well as a venue for original short works. We think our audience will be impressed with the range of subjects and styles that THINK FAST offers."

Performances will be Friday, February 19 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 20 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 21 at 2 p.m. The audience will be asked to vote for its two favorite plays after each show and a special award for "Audience Favorite" will also be announced after the February 21 performance along with the $500 Judges' Prize. In addition to Best Play, a panel of judges will also bestow awards for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director.

Tickets may be purchased online www.thetheaterproject.org or at the box office before each performance at the Burgdorff Center, 10 Durand Rd, Maplewood, NJ.