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WESTFIELD — The JUICE BOX ORGANIC INTERNATIONAL ONE ACT PLAY COMPETITION returns to Lake Shore Center for the Arts the last weekend of July and the first weekend August. Brainchild of Executive Director and founder, Rick Mascaro along with his right hand, Sue Poster, VP, the competition has become a highly anticipated event.

The third year for the competition, it once again has attracted global submissions from as near as Chautauqua County to as far as New Zealand.The talent that abounds in this writing forum is truly outstanding.

The entered plays, which are to range from eight to 12 minutes, are stripped of all identification information so that the evaluators complete blind readings and scorings of the works. The scores are then added to a computer spreadsheet and the top five dramas and comedies are determined from the totals.

Next comes the challenge of finding directors and actors for 10 plays, a formidable task. Once again, President Tina Rausa and Pat Kirell have met that challenge, enlisting four different directors and twenty actors.

Rausa is directing In a Pickle by Steven Stewart, Sugarland, Texas, Slice of Life by Chris Woodworth, Geneva, The Tags by Catherine D’Agostino, Fredonia, and My Name is Linus by Judy Schuler, Fredonia.

Tim Newell, who masterfully directed our recent performance of Agnes of God, returns this year to direct three of the one acts: The Nazi’s Daughter by Judy Schuler, Fredonia, NY, Geronimo by F. J. Hartland, Johnstown, PA and Lower Education by Lewis Shilane, Joplin, MO.

Tom Loughlin, of 1891 Fredonia Opera House, joins us again this year to direct Fork in the Road by Greg Ryan, Nashville Tenn., and Blast from the Past by Laurie Allen, Odessa, TX. Also returning is Joe Spann, who directed Mornings at Seven at LSCFTA several years ago and last year for the one acts. This year he directs the comedy Lemonade by Marjorie Williamson, St. Louis MO

As if directing weren’t enough, directors Rausa and Joe Spann also act in plays under the guidance of other directors.

Joining the directors as actors are Emily Barry, Mike Lee, Steve Wendell, Gwen Spann, Mary Croxton, Todd McClenathan, Susan Royal, Mike Civiletto, Jackie Phillips, Libby Cardy Sciarrino, Karin Seager Cockram, Mitch Cummings, Mary Moebious, Damian Dodd, Lucy Knappenberger, Brian McMahon, Joyce Haines and Haley Osterstuck.

Staging 10 individual plays, five comedies on Friday nights and five dramas on Saturday nights requires a great deal of organizing, set pieces, costuming, lighting, sound and scheduling all of the many rehearsals. This immense amount of work could not be done without our fabulous behind the scenes crew led by Stage Manager Pat Kirell and LSCFTA Facilities Manager and Treasurer, Kelly Mathews. Kelly manages both lights and sound as well as helping Rausa with the sets. Joanne Mansfield and Marsha Sullivan oversee the costumes and props, purchasing and sometimes scrounging needed items.

Organized by Mascaro and Poster, an anthology of the top 10 plays will be available for purchase at the theater before and after performances.

The JUICE BOX INTERNATIONAL ONE ACT COMPETITION will be held at Lake Shore Center for the Arts on July 25 and 26 at 7 p.m., Aug. 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. with the audience voting on their favorites, scoring each play from 1 to 5 stars. The final performance of the top three comedies and top three dramas occurs at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3. Certificates and monetary awards will be presented to the winning plays at the end of the Sunday performances. Tickets for the One Acts are available right now at lakeshorecenterforthearts.com. Click on “Performing Arts.”

Lake Shore Center for the Arts, located in the annex of the First Presbyterian Church, 49 South Portage St., is a non profit organization that serves the shoreline communities from Erie, Pa., to Buffalo bringing art to everyone. Please visit the website at www.LakeShoreCenterfortheArts.com or the Facebook page Lake Shore Center for the Arts. The center is open each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and other times of the week by chance. There is always something going on at the Brenda Eno Art Gallery, The Jacqueline Phillips Theater, The Lorna Penny Suite, The Bill Ross Recital Hall, The Innovation Studio and The LSCFTA Writers Group. Stop in and find your joy.