It may have been raining outside, but the atmosphere at the Auburn Players Community Theatre's Original Short Play Festival was anything but gloomy Sunday afternoon.

Hosted by the Auburn Public Theatre in downtown Auburn, the festival featured original works from playwrights making their debut in theater. The festival was conceived to give up-and-coming writers an opportunity to have their work published and their voices heard.

None of the plays featured were more than 10 minutes in length, or more than one act. The genres ranged from horror to tragedy and comedy, including “Medium,” a haunting scene from a seance, “After Godot,” a hilarious “come-tragedy” about two failing actors, “Shopping Spree,” and “Transitions,” about a soldier who finds himself in heaven.

That soldier was Marcus Brumberger, who also wrote the opening play, “Promises to Keep.”

“I've been involved in the theater all my life,” said Brumberger, who worked previously in the carnival industry and first joined the Auburn Players in February for their production of “Godspell.” His fellow actor, Andy Tubiolo, of Rochester, joined the Players in hopes of getting back into the theater.

“It's a great way to have fun and meet new people,” he said.

All five plays were produced in only two months, but long-time director Bourke Kennedy was up to the challenge.

“It was in 1969 that I married the theater,” she laughs. “I directed my first show in 1971.”

Kennedy adds that her favorite part of directing this show is being able to work closely with the cast as a team.

“I really enjoy the creative process,” she said. “And I'm working with just such a wonderful group of actors.”