Actors, writers, producers beat the clock in the 24 Hour Plays

Applause and laughter erupted from a rowdy audience at almost every line, quite a feat considering the plays were written less than 24 hours prior. “With the ink barely dry,” six short plays brought energy to the world of theater.

The sixth annual 24 Hour Plays took place April 17 at 8 p.m. in Max Noah Recital Hall under leadership of producers Eric Griffis, David Muschell and Iona Pendergast.

The original works included “Wife Shop,” by Angela Hall, “Something Very Small,” by Nathan Tucker, “Earth 2010,” by Jimmy Holder, “Dungeons, Dragons & a Vegan,” by Evan Allgood, “Nocturnal Emissions,” by Phill Maury and “The Homestead Players,” by Marie Elliot.

Marie Elliot, author of “The Homestead Players,” explained that the writers met the actors, who brought a prop and a costume piece, and using the pieces as inspiration, wrote all through the night. The plays then went through a workshop phase with the producers.

“I am an aspiring screenwriter, so I am reliant on knowing my words will change,” Elliot said.

It was Elliot’s third time writing for 24 Hour Plays and last year her original work, “The Man Gift,” was published and has been produced in two cities.

I’m addicted to that collaboration – that’s why I write in that genre – it is the only creative writing that transcends the page,” Elliot said.

After the drafts were complete, the producers edited, casted and decided who would direct the plays. They worked all through the night and the next day, the stage and scene managers arrived as well as the six directors and 31 actors. Sleep deprivation was a common issue.

“It wasn’t that bad until the morning,” producer Eric Griffis said. “We were prepared for it to be difficult.”

The actors and producers had to work hard and quickly to pull their plays together.

“The biggest challenge was learning lines and working with a random group on the spot,” said Sean Corbett, an actor in one of the plays.

People from all majors were involved. Anyone could sign up to act or tech while directors had to apply. Working on a production in such an abbreviated amount of time can be intense, so directors must apply to show they are willing and able to handle the stress.

“Keeping the actors focused was a challenge,” said Kate Laurens, a scene manager for the production.

With a full day of rehearsing and designing technical aspects of each play, the writers saw their plays in full production that night at 8 p.m.

“I look forward to the 24 Hour Plays,” Elliot said. “The actors add so much depth to the words on the page; these characters are becoming real people and these real people are saying my words with so much grace. Every year there are a few actors that stand out.”

Laurens also explained that the unexpected cannot be prepared for. In the middle of Nocturnal Emissions, actor Bren Thomas had a nosebleed.

“He handled it very well,” Laurens said.

Thomas improvised some dialogue about his bloody nose and later came on stage with a tampon shoved up his nostril. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the fresh joke in the play.

“It was chaotic, it was hectic, but it was impressive. It actually came together,” Laurens said.

Overall, the 24 Hour Plays were a rewarding experience for the writers, producers, actors and the audience.

“The most rewarding was seeing it and having the audience respond in the way we wanted them to respond,” Laurens said. “I always love it when people laugh.”

There were a few lines the audience did not hear because there was so much laughter.

“Laughter was the most rewarding,” Corbett said, “definitely laughter.”

Posted by Rachel Moldovan on Apr 23 2010. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry