CHARACTER CUBED
by Matt Bessette
A pedantic “plotter” and his “pantser” friend rush to draft a script for a playwright festival—and tackle his neglected family duties—before the deadline arrives… and his worn-out wife walks out on him.

THE DECISION
by James M. Denton
In a world where people make decisions everyday, stands one young man and his epic struggle to make up his own mind. Michael reaches a boiling when confronted by Emily and Lauren, two young women competing for his affection, amidst the desolate landscape of good men. Joined by his best friend Jake, Michael must discover the origins of his indecisiveness or risk spending the rest of his life with his MOTHER!

BEAR MOUNTAIN
by Claudia Isabele
What crazy shenanigans will we partake in for the sake of friendship? Is friendship really all blood, sweat, and tears? Or is it just trauma bonding until someone cracks under the pressure? 

TEA & TREACHERY
by Scott Stephen Kegler
A cautionary tale about the dangers of conformity. Also, poison.

HELLO, GOODBYE
by Hannah E. Kupson
Hello, Goodbye follows two souls, one living and one deceased, who are offered a second chance at goodbye after the untimely death of the deceased. The pair grapples with what it feels like to lose someone important, and how to move on when you think you have nowhere else to go.

THE NIGHTCAP
by Betsy Maguire
Spring, 1947. A rustic cabin, just outside of London. A young man tries to move forward with his life, but his famous past can't seem to let him go. 

THE THIRD HALF
written and directed by Ava R. Molnar
The Third Half explores the strange humor, frustration, and joy that comes with finding parts of yourself in the people around you.

ANDY’S NUTS
written and directed by Ken Schroeder
Lauded by historians as one of the boldest and most accurate explorations of American history ever brought to life on stage or anywhere else, Andy’s Nuts contemplates the origins of one of the craziest men to ever eventually sit in the oval office, relatively speaking of course.

Matt Bessette
Matt Bessette is an 8th-grade English teacher and drama club director in Bloomfield. He has participated in over 70 theatrical productions as a performer, playwright, producer, director, dramaturge, stage manager, and crew member. He holds a BA in Theatre from ECSU, where he served as President of the Drama Society. Matt founded the Lebanon Summer Theatre Camp where, for five years, he wrote and directed one-act children’s plays. Of the 15 scripts he has written, five have been published and all have been produced. Most importantly, he is a proud husband and father to his wife, Kaitlyn, and his daughter, Eleanor.

James M. Denton
James has been writing for 25 years, while maintaining employment in numerous careers, most notably theater. He started as a volunteer at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford. Eventually hired as a Box Office Representative and House Manager. Currently he works at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, primarily as a Floor Director.

He has written two comedic plays (tonight is a sample of one.) nine screenplays, working on another. Created three television series and continues writing episodes for them. When not writing, James is pulling his hair out when confronted with writers block. He also enjoys times with family and friends and wig shopping.

Networking is a crucial part of any hobby, if the dream is to make a living at it and is just as time consuming as writing. James would like to sincerely thank the Little Theater of Manchester for this opportunity. Linda Dubuc Wilson for her direction and the cast for giving a voice to the characters.
"You haven't seen the last of me." (Cher Show & me)
www.jamesmdenton.com

Claudia Isabel
Claudia Isabel (she/her) studied Creative Writing and Theatre at Seton Hall University. Her “specialty” is bite-sized comedic one acts that leave the audience in stitches! Claudia’s works have been performed across Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and this December…Claudia’s  audio play will be making a European debut in England! “Bear Mountain” is dedicated to her mother Paula Caeiro - who was the first person to laugh at this piece. Special thanks to Chris, Caroline, and Boone. Love always to TJJ. Avery, and Taty, thank you for your talent and comedy. And to Shawn Murray, my favorite Lin Manuel quote is quite literally us, ”as long as I got a job, you got a job”! Follow her on Instagram, @claudiatheplaywright or her website: https://claudia-isabel.com

Betsy Maguire
Betsy Maguire is a playwright and the founder of Playland Productions, as well as an actor, director, and producer. Betsy is the recipient of the 2019 Jon Lipsky Award for Excellence in Playwriting, Best Comedy and Best Drama festival awards, and the winner of Connecticut Stories on Stage. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild, the International Museum Theatre Alliance, and the League of Professional Theatre Women. She is thrilled to be part of this wonderful festival again, and thanks LTM, and her talented director and cast. 

Ava R. Molnar
Ava R. Molnar is an artist and educator who has had her work produced throughout New England. While working on her BA in Theater Arts at Clark University she acted, choreographed, and stage managed for Worcester Shakespeare Company. While earning her MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College she developed an even more robust approach to art: conceiving and producing solo shows, interactive film performances, and a choose your own adventure style thesis. She recently adapted and directed Lysistrata at Windham Theatre Guild in Willimantic and had her play Mother’s Day produced at Chestnut Street Playhouse in Norwich. In addition to her personal projects she has been building the Integrated Arts and Management pathway at Arts at the Capitol Theatre Magnet High School in Willimantic where she is grateful to be teaching the next generation of artists.

Ken Schroeder
Ken has been involved in the CT theater network for just so, so long, and is grateful to have his work selected for the LTM Playwright Festival for a second straight year. You may recognize him from LTM’s 2022 production of The Full Monty or from his stage work last year in this very festival, where he was once again asked to take most of his clothes off (talk about your typecasting, eh, Betsy?) He hopes to see all of you back here in November when he takes the stage as Nick Bottom in this year’s production of Something Rotten!