NATCHEZ — With just 10 minutes in front of the audience, there was no time to get nervous.

No time to worry about lines.

There was only time to perform.

So that’s what the six groups of high school drama students did in front of an audience of their peers during a 10-minute play festival in the ballroom at the Eola Hotel.

The plays were part of the Mississippi Theatre Association’s annual conference that has been in Natchez since Thursday.

And if the limited time wasn’t enough to make even the most seasoned actors and actresses tense, the performance teams were assembled and given their scripts for the vacation themed plays less than 24 hours before the Saturday night performances.

But, despite all the possible stumbling blocks, the actors delivered their lines, some scripted and other ad libbed, and garnered much applause for their efforts.

The short plays were just one part of the jam-packed schedule that had over 700 people from high school and community theaters from across the state filling the streets and stages of Natchez.

The Natchez City Auditorium, the Natchez Community Center, ballrooms and conference rooms at several downtown hotels, Jefferson Street United Methodist Church, Natchez Little Theatre and The Natchez Convention Center all opened their doors for at least one portion of the four-day event.

And the fact that all the different downtown venues are within walking distance of each has been a big plus for conference organizers and attendees.

“It was fun to stand out in front of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church and see hundreds of people walking up and down the streets of Natchez,” said Layne Taylor, executive director of the Natchez Little Theatre, “Everyone has been loving the city, and is has been such a unique experience because they can do everything on foot.”

Also on the bill for the conference were full length plays performed by high school and community theater groups from across the state, a monologue competition and youth and adult playwriting competitions.

Stephen Cunnetto, executive director of the Mississippi Theatre Association, said the response from all of the events has been positive.

“They are going great. We are very excited to have so many high school and community theaters come to the festival,” he said.

And it isn’t just the conference attendees who are working hard this weekend. Volunteers from Natchez have been vital in making the conference run smoothly.

“I am very pleased with all the volunteers from Natchez,” Cunnetto said. “They are bending over backwards to make thing go off the way they should.”

The conference will culminate with an awards banquet Sunday afternoon at the convention center. And Cunnetto said anyone receiving an award should be proud.

“The level of talent has continued to grow,” he said. “We have talked to several of the adjudicators and they have been astounded by amount of talent we have here in Mississippi.

“And these are judges from outside the state so that speaks well of the quality of talent we have here.”

But awards can’t be handed out until the final performances are over, and the last block of plays will begin at 7:30 Sunday morning in the City Auditorium.

All performances are open ot the public. Tickets are $5 for a block of shows and are available at the door.