At about this time every summer, The ArtsCenter presents what is among the most entertaining and thought-provoking theatrical experiences of the year: the 10 by 10 in the Triangle play festival. This year’s version, the 11th installment, opens Friday, July 6, and runs through July 22.

Ten plays, performed by an ensemble of 10 actors and directed by 10 directors – and each play clocks in at 10 minutes or less.

In its 10 years of existence, the Ten by Ten festival has gained international reknown. For this year’s festival, playwrights from throughout the U.S. and the world – including Canada, India, Ireland, Israel and the U.K. – submitted more than 500 original scripts, and a panel of theater artists chose the 10 best.

Among this year’s offerings: Mark Harvey Levine’s “Misfortune,” exploring what happens when fortune cookies bear bad news; Libba Beaucham’s “After You,” which asks how far good manners can get you; and Jonathan Graham’s “It’s What’s for Dinner,” a reflection on the politics of food – set in a fridge.

Tickets and information are at 919-929-2787 or artscenterlive.org