NORMAL -- The end of things will mark the start of things for this year's annual "10-Minute Play Festival" at Heartland Theatre Company in Normal.

The compendium of eight short plays kicks off a month-long run Thursday in Heartland's space at One Normal Plaza, then continues every weekend thereafter, through Aug. 2.

Contestants in the competition were assigned the subject of "It's Over!"

Specifically: "What does it mean when it's really and truly over? It could be the end of a game, a career, a life, a relationship or even the end of the world as we know it."

For the first time, the fest is being staged in July instead of its usual late-May, early-June berth.

The run begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with a pay what you can preview, then begins regularly ticketed performances thereafter: 7:30 p.m. July 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, and Aug. 1, with 2 p.m. matinees July 19 and 26, and Aug. 2.

All tickets are $12 for Friday and Saturday performances. For Thursday and Sunday performances there are discounts for seniors ($10) and students ($6). The box office number is (309) 452-8709.

The eight winners hail from around the country, with no local authors placing this year - a rarity. Some will attend a reception and talk at the July 10 performance.

The plays and authors are:

• "The Fun Part," Gabe McKinley, New York City: A couple are so in love they have to make up a new name for it - before it comes crashing to an end.
• "The Final Episode of Intergalactic Warrior Journeyman," Beth Kandler, Jackson, Miss.: A band of fans gather to watch the last episode of their favorite TV series, then discuss how life will go without it.
• "Fat Petey Gets It All Wrong," Ron Frankel, New Lebanon, N.Y.: A man doesn't want to hurt his wife by telling her her cheated - he wants to kill her.
• "Don't Just Sit There," Diane Sampson, San Francisco: A woman recently dumped by her husband goes to the dentist and is distracted by another patient's "luscious lips."
• "It's All In Your Head," Jessica Wisniewski, Romeoville: An author with the power of life and death over her characters has to decide when and how to write "The End."
• "Double Feature," Chuck Rose, Los Angeles: Two film buffs with opposing tastes meet in a vintage movie poster shop the day before it closes.
• "I Lost Three Chewbaccas That Way," Isaac Peterson, Brooklyn, N.Y.: A "Star Wars" fan with a family wonders if his youth is buried out back, along with his old Chewbaccas.
• "Honestly," Steven Korbar, Torrance, Calif.: A couple learns that only after you break up can you be completely honest with each other.

10-minute plays

What: 10-Minute Play Festival: "It's Over!"

When: 7:30 p.m. July 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31, and Aug. 1; 2 p.m. July 19 and 26, Aug. 2

Where: Heartland Theatre Company, One Normal Plaza, Normal

Tickets: $6-$12 (July 9 is "pay what you can" preview)

Box office number: (309) 452-8709

Special event: Reception/talk with playwrights at July 10 performance