For a real change of pace, try a full evening of LGBTQ ten-minute plays: the Northeast premiere of "Out of the Closet" at Chandler this coming Saturday night at 7:30 PM.

With a concept developed by Caroline Sposto for Emerald Theatre Company (Memphis), these eight short LGBTQ plays -- two previously produced in Vermont Playwrights Circle's TenFest -- are at times funny, at other times touching and serious. Under the direction of Gene Heinrich (St. Albans), Kim Ward (Montpelier), and Dvora Zipkin (Worcester), they explore coming out and staying in the closet, navigating societal expectations, holding onto and letting go of relationships, looking for love in the right and wrong places, and celebrating life's moments of connection.

The playwrights are Calley Anderson, Mary Anzalone, Lawson Caldwell, Joe Gulla, James Marzo, and W. L. Newkirk, plus Vermont playwrights Jack Rushton and Dvora Zipkin. The acting ensemble members are Susan Bauchner (Warren), Vincent Broderick (Montpelier), Brett Cox (Roxbury), Gene Heinrich, Andra Kisler (Northfield), Jennifer Lord (Danville), Susan Loynd (Fayston), Rae Merrill (Randolph), Kris Rowley (Brookfield), Rachel Sucher (Montpelier), Kim Ward, and William Wuttke (South Royalton).

A reception to meet and greet Ms. Sposto and some of the playwrights, as well as the directors and actors, will be held immediately after the performance in Chandler's Gallery. Homemade treats will be complementary and Vermont Pride Theater T-shirts will be available.

"Out of the Closet" will also be presented on Sunday July 30th, again at 7:30 PM.