‘Got a Minute’ turns five

Many people become fearful when cancer strikes a family member.

But Jeffery Kin didn’t.

When his mother, Margaret Ann, was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, the artistic director of the Players Theatre in Sarasota became theatrical instead.

He fought back by creating what has become an annual cancer fundraising event called “Got A Minute?” — a play festival featuring 60 original, 60-second plays that will make you chuckle, sniffle and leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

This year’s event, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary, is Aug. 27-29. All proceeds will benefit the Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa.

Since its inception, “Got A Minute?” has raised more than $70,000 for cancer research. Kin has his mom to thank for that. Her battle with cancer spurred Kin to do anything he could to help, including signing up to participate in a walk to benefit cancer. He said he ended up developing the quirky play festival as a way to raise funds for the walk. Kin’s mom — who underwent a couple of years of chemotherapy and radiation treatment — is now cancer free.

“She said the cancer was meant to happen,” Kin said. “It’s made her into the woman she is today.”

Kin is flying his mom — known as “Mousey” around the theater house — here from Ohio as a guest “celebrity” for the event.

This year the best 60-second plays from all four years will be performed along with 20 new ones. A large group of dedicated volunteer actors, directors and musicians will take part.

Believe it or not, the festival has attracted worldwide attention from playwrights over the years thanks to the Internet — with 60-second scripts that have come as far away as London and Africa, Kin said. This year’s batch is mainly Florida-based.

As “Got A Minute?” continues to put a positive spin on cancer, Kin hopes to shake things up in the future by possibly offering longer skits, more musical numbers and other surprises.

But rest assured that folks will be thoroughly entertained with this year’s merriment.

“It’s the most fun you’ll ever have at a cancer benefit,” Kin said. “This is the lighter side of cancer.”

Performances for “Got A Minute?” are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Aug. 29 at the theater, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. A silent auction will be held during each show. A party will follow Saturday’s festivities. Tickets are $20-$30.

For more information on “Got A Minute?,” call the box office at 365-2494.

January Holmes, features writer, can be reached at 745-7057.

Follow her on Twitter at @accentbradenton.