Even for the theatergoer, plays can be a long experience to sit through. That won’t be a problem with the short Women’s Play Festival, performed by the Independent Actors Theatre. Each of the five plays lasts around 10 minutes each.

Artistic director Emily Rollie said the festival was the idea of her predecessor, who noticed there was less attention paid to women’s work.

“She wanted to create an opportunity for women’s work to be represented and celebrated, and let some of the new voices come to light,” Rollie said.

Now in its third year, the short Women’s Play festival will present plays from authors around the country.

“This year we have playwrights from Nebraska and Tennessee flying in to see the shows,” Rollie said. “That’s kind of exciting.”

The chosen directors bring a balance of comedic and serious shows, Rollie said.

“We searched around the country and found the best short plays we think we could find, with great performances and innovative directing,” IAT executive director Charles Willis said.

There was not intended theme when choosing the plays, Rollie said.

“In looking at the shows, there’s always interesting relationships,” Rollie said. “The things said and unsaid in relationships.”

Rollie said acting groups in Columbia are more of a community than competitors.

“We all have our own niches in Columbia-we are so lucky,” she said.

IAT stands apart from other acting groups because it is constantly nomadic, Rollie said.

“We want to explore ways to do theater in spaces that are non-traditional,” Rollie said. “We’re founded under this bare-boned, actor-centered aesthetic. No big sets-we want it to be focused on testing the actors, and letting the work speak for itself.”

Technical elements are kept at a minimum, Willis said.

“If the actors don’t touch it or sit on it, then it doesn’t need to be there,” Willis said.

Since the plays are so brief, the company only rehearses for a few weeks before the performance.

“We expect our actors to be experienced,” Willis said. “Part of our mission is to provide opportunities for experienced actors they may not otherwise have in Columbia.”

College students, teachers and directors frequently audition for roles.

“The call goes out to people that have supported theatre in the past,” Rollie said.

Local actors who have been involved in the past can become directors, such as Katie Hays, director of “Public Proposals” and “The Further Adventures of Louise Heavingbodice.”

“I’m always excited for the entire festival,” Willis said. “All of our plays are just so fantastic.”

The Independent Actors Theatre will be performing their short Women’s Play Festival Thursday through Saturday at Launer Auditorium at Columbia College. Visit www.iatheatre.org for details.