Evento

The Northampton 24-Hour Theater Project

While the premise is simple, the execution is anything but: within 24 hours, five ten-minute plays will be written, rehearsed, directed, produced, and staged. Northamptons 24 Hour Theater Project, founded in 2002 by playwright Tanyss Rhea Martula, is one of the most beloved and anticipated events of the year.

The night before the show, a trigger line of dialogue is revealed to five playwrights, as well as a description--minus names--of actors who will participate in each play. At 7 am on Saturday morning, the playwrights bring the scripts to their respective directors who have drawn names from a hat. As directors and playwrights meet, the tech team arrives to begin identifying the various props, costumes, lighting and sound needs that each play requires. And then, at 8:30 am, twenty-four actors arrive! As the clock ticks on, each group heads off to rehearsal rooms where they stage these developing works.

The 24 Hour Theater Project is not just about the plays that come and go. notes director Susanna Apgar, Its about building the Valleys theater community by growing our relationships with one another, and with our audience. Veteran 24 Hour Theater Project playwrights Phil ODonoghue and Tomas Roche will be joined by Betel Arnold, Melissa Dimetres, and Siobhan McManamon, whose play BEAR HUG recently kicked off this season of the Smith College New Playreading series.

This year's 24-Hour Theater Project directors feature Susanna Apgar, John Bechtold, Toby Bercovici, Jeannine Haas, and Ellen Morbyrne. This years actors include Lisa Abend, Nick Baker, Jane Barish, Kyle Boatwright, Scott Braidman, Joe Cardozo, Michael Charland-Tait, Gabe Cifuentes,Bill Dwight, Emmet Flaim, Melle Lowenthal, Moe McElligot, Linda Putnam, Myka Plunkett, Sam Samuels, Rachel Schneider, Linda Tardiff, and Rich Vaden.

Please note: There may be use of strong language, violence, and/or sexual themes.