The dictionary defines a festival as a period or program of festive activities, cultural events or entertainment. If it's a festive activity you seek that is cultural and entertaining, then look no further, Playhouse on Park presents The 24-Hour Playwriting Festival.
You're intrigued, I know, I see you sitting there wearing your whimsical smile of curiosity. By the way, you look marvelous! Okay, here's the deal, A group of ambitious individuals assembles at the performance venue exactly 24 hours prior to show time. The eager artists are randomly put in to to groups consisting of a playwright, director and actors. They spend some time getting to know each other and begin to formulate a plot for their play.
When I stopped by the playhouse tonight, each of our four groups had been selected and were seated at various locations throughout the playhouse. After their initial meeting, people new to the playhouse were given a tour of the stage by their directors. at 9:00PM festival organizer Dawn Loveland dismissed the actors and directors and helped set up writing stations for the playwrights, who will spend the night writing the play.
At 8:00AM the actors and directors return, hopefully having already been e-mailed a copy of the script by the playwright, who should be home sleeping. Hopefully not to find the playwright curled up in the fetal position on the floor muttering to themselves, although that would make a hilarious concept for a short play.
The actors and directors begin to rehearse the play first thing. Early afternoon, the playwrights will return to help the others produce the show in any number of ways, including locating props and costumes. The group will work through the afternoon to bring the shows together. Each group will get one hour in the theater to tech their show i.e. work out lighting and sound issues. Once all the elements come together, the only issues will be the ones you'll see on stage.
Come see the results of their hard work on Saturday, August 4th at 8:00PM. General admission seats are just $10.00. Or by calling the playhouse box office at 860-523-5900 x10.
Here are the names and titles for each of our four groups:
Group A
Playwright - Jacques Lamarre
Director - Carolyn Cumming
Cast - Robyn Belt, Thomas Doelger, Amanda Forker, Susan Rattigan
Group B
Playwright - Peython Echelson Russell
Director - Tasya Albert
Cast - Hillary Ekwall, Denise Walker, Ginny Wolf
Group C
Playwright - Terri Klein
Director - Helena Morris
Cast - Annie Coursey, Aaron Petre, Laurel White
Group D
Playwright - Matt Macca
Director - Becky Beth Benedict
Cast - Molly Cook, Will Matus, Charles Merils
