Island Theatre’s Ten-Minute Play Festival returns to Bainbridge Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22.

The death of a parent, a mysterious journey, conversations beyond the grave, the anguish of writing a ten-minute play and, of course, romance are among the themes of this year’s Island Theatre Ten-Minute Play Festival offerings.

This year’s featured playwrights include six returning winners from past festivals – Jeff Fraga, Paul Lewis, Steven Lee Palay, Karen Polinsky, John Ratterman and Wendy Wallace – plus three newcomers: Noah Barfield, Rob Burke and Elizabeth Coplan.

The directors are Michelle Allen, Todd Erler, Linda Jensen, Matt Longmire, Fred Saas, Pat Scott, Tell Schreiber and Dennis South.

The plays feature an ensemble cast of 23 Kitsap County actors: Jim Alexander, Thomas Allen, Quinn Balan, Austin Bennett, Susan Bielka, Kent Bridwell, Cymberline Brody, Tracy Dickerson, Shannon Dowling, Bronsyn Foster, Karen Galven, Carolyn Goad, Rilla Ailes Hughes, Mike Klemetsrud, Joseph Lacko, Patrick Ryan, Per Sherwin, Sandi Spellman, Diane Walker, Tyler Weaver, Nathan Whitehouse, Nita Wilson and Ryder Wing.

The festival is recommended for ages 13 and above, as some plays include strong language and adult subject matter.

The entries were subjected to a “blind” judging (playwrights’ identities were hidden) by three theatre professionals. The playwrights are required to either live in or have a strong connection to Kitsap County, and although they are allowed to submit up to three entries, only one play per playwright is selected for performance.

An overall festival favorite, determined by the judges, will be awarded a cash prize at the end of the festival on Saturday night.

Tickets are free, with a suggested donation of $10.