In their continuing efforts to be the hub of downtown theatre, NY's Ontological Theatre presents their annual celebration of the short attention span, The Seven Minute Series, April 16-26.

This year's series is curated by Damon Kiely (director of Adobe Theatre's Handless Maiden), with the participants including: Doorika (last year's Bathe Me!, and The Forgery), Richard Maxwell (Ute Mnos v. Crazy Liquors), Jason Howard, Paige Marten, Neil Benezra & Meg Kelly, Ken Nintzel, Johanna Meyer & Alexandra Hartman, and Anne De Mare (Lucky Man).

Participants in the festival present short works, usually around seven minutes, giving audiences a taste of what's new and hot in experimental theatre. Many of the works presented in past festivals, have been developed into longer pieces presented at The Ontological or another downtown venue.

Richard Foreman (Benita Canova, Pearls for Pigs) started The Ontological-Hysteric Theatre in 1968, each year during the summer months he allows the theatre (currently the Church at St. Marks) to be used by younger experimental artists.

The Seven Minute Series plays at The Ontological Theatre at St. Marks Church, April 16-26. For reservations and more information call (212) 533-4650. -- By Sean McGrath