WordWave2025
WordWave: Playwright Contest Winners Performance
Saturday, September 6, 2025
7:00 PM | Reception to follow
Valhalla Tahoe – Boathouse Theatre & Grand Hall
Tickets: $30 GA | $27 Members | $20 Students
One night. Three stories. Endless inspiration.
Join us for the return of WordWave, Valhalla Tahoe’s annual celebration of bold new voices and unforgettable storytelling. From over 100 entries in our national one-act playwriting competition, three winning plays have been selected to take the stage for a one-night-only staged reading in the historic Boathouse Theatre.
Five’s a Big Deal by Richard Manley
Bookstore owner Max faces a life-threatening diagnosis and the terrifying prospect of change. Surrounded by wit, poetry, and stubborn love, he must choose between control and connection. A poignant, bitingly funny one-act play about aging, relevance, and the people who refuse to let us drift away.
The Tour Guide by Phil Olson
A family pit stop at a seedy motel spirals into chaos when a quirky tour guide reveals he’s more than a tour guide. This hilarious one-act comedy explores parenthood, purpose, and the absurdity of growing up—no matter your age—with outrageous twists and a heartwarming push toward independence.
A Change of Heart by Richard Fouts
When Adele, a recent Nobel Prize winner, meets Logan, the young scientist she’s thought about for years, the two immediately clash over deeply held beliefs, disappointments and misunderstandings. A compelling one-act drama about identity, forgiveness, and the sustainability of unbreakable family bonds.
Following the performance, guests are invited to a special Meet-the-Writers Wine & Dessert Reception in the Grand Hall—an intimate chance to connect with the artists behind the words and hear more about their creative process.
Whether you’re a theatre lover, a story seeker, or just curious to witness something original and moving, WordWave is a must-experience evening of award-winning, often never-before-seen theatre.
Seating is limited—reserve early and be part of the story.
Reception sponsored by The Cork and More