They may think they have the corner on the swimming pool-related theatre over at Metamorphoses, but the ten authors of Swim Shorts are out to challenge that monopoly. The rotating evenings of premiere one-act plays will set up poolside at the 57th Street Holiday Inn Aug. 1-25.

The plays in Swim Shorts cover a number of activities that take place around a swimming pool or on a rooftop. Word of Mouth, the production company sponsoring Swim Shorts, picked these ten plays from 200 submissions made to the company after an open call for work. Rich Orloff (Oy!) and Robin Rothstein (On Deaf Ears) are among the winning writers.

Tickets are $15 with a $10 additional charge for those who wish to relax poolside after the performance in the Oasis Club. Portions of the proceeds will be donated to the Boys' Club of New York. For reservations, call (917) 509-7531.

Word of Mouth was formed in 1995 and is specifically dedicated to creating site-specific theatre. Other productions include 10 Stories Up (also set on a rooftop), Standing Eight (set in a boxing gym) and Street (set at an outdoor urban festival).

— By Christine Ehren