AMERICAN THEATRE: The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway are an intensive theatrical endeavor in which artists write, direct, and perform six original short plays within 24 hours. The creative process begins the evening before, when the actors, writers, directors, and production staff gather for a meet and greet. With an hour to brainstorm, each participant shares a prop and costume, actors show off their special skills, and share something they’ve always wanted to do on stage.
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Before I read this article, the only context in which I had heard of 24 hour plays was as a fun activity that some colleges do. I had never thought that it could be done professionally and as a real way to create art. This is such a different way of approaching the art of theater. It is nothing like the drawn out, well-thought out, and strongly revised process that goes into most professional theater. I can see this being a much more raw art form free from second guessing and over polishing. Of course, the works that come out of something like this may be nothing close to finished and still look very rough but even so, it can still be a beautiful piece of art. This is such a cool idea and I hope that I will one day get the chance to see this happen live or maybe even participate in it.
I would’ve assumed just from hearing the phrase “24 hour plays” that these are plays PRODUCED in 24 hours, from design to build and rehearsal to performance. Hearing that they are actually written within that time is insane. Playwriting is difficult to get done even in a longer term like a year, so hammering out 6 new works in time for the following day seems crazy to me – I’m impressed. I’d be curious to see a recording of some of these shows; I wonder how long they are or how they are presented. I especially like how this challenge is presented to technicians, designers, actors, directors, etc. alike; it’s a challenge that everyone gets to participate in. I’ve put up shows in short times before; I once staged a one act with only four in-person rehearsals which I thought was a lot to ask. That came out to about 18 hours of just rehearsal time. I can’t imagine condensing the entire production process including build into one 24-hour span – but I’d love to try it!
When reading this article, I was absolutely stunned to hear that this kind of broadway set ever existed in the first place. As a drama student, I have never been largely involved with the broadway scene, or large-scale theatre as a whole, so it isn’t inaccurate to say that I am undereducated on the broadway world. One area I am whole-heartedly endowed with is experimental theatre, and I think that the 24-Hour Play genre is a wonderful example of successful executions of experimental theatre. Doing one show in 24 hours, from the conceptual stage all the way to the performance is already something that seems nearly impossible, so the fact that it is proposed to be 6 plays all done within that timeframe is mind-boggling. This article specifically is really short, so it is hard to delve into and understand the specifics parameters of the shows and their execution, but I find the idea as a whole to be very fun and enlightening. It specifically reminds me a little bit of Playground here at the School of Drama, where you have little time to put an entire show together during the last week of the semester. It allows for creative execution of projects with quick problem solving skills challenged to come to fruition, and I personally love that kind of project, as it makes you actively think throughout the projects timeframe.
Well, when I first saw the headline, my brain went to: “The play is 24 hours long?”
That’s not the case, obviously. But this event is truly fascinating, and as the article says, a celebration of what artists can do in just 24 hours. I would love to just be in the room - just be an observer and see the process of how this is put together. What’s even more interesting was the answer to my other question, which was whether writers brought in previous concepts they had thought of. To hear that the entire thing is based off of props and costumes and skills that are shown only at the beginning of the 24 hours is wild. I’m not sure how long the plays are, beyond just being “short” - I feel like anything longer than an hour would be completely insurmountable from every aspect. Actually, the writers are going to have it the worst because they have to spend all night writing, and then likely spend all day in the room workshopping, too.
I see Julie Benko at the top of this article and I am immediately sold. The concept of 24 hour plays is really intriguing to me. This production in particular looks like there is quite the lineup of performers which is particularly exciting. I love the idea that there is such a quick turnaround time for a piece, and I imagine it can feel both freeing and constricting at times for both the creative team and the performers. I think it would be fun to participate in one of these or if high schools and colleges did something similar. The idea of having the freedom to write based on the performers and work with them with the combined goal of being creative and to create art. This concept makes me wonder what the technical elements may be like, if any are present. It would be so cool if they had a scenic, costume, light, and sound designer that also had to work at this time. Although they would have to do things somewhat simplistic given the time constraints, it would be super interesting to see all of these elements come together.
I love this concept! In artistry and artistic projects, sometimes limitations aid creativity. While this project seems stressful it seems immensely rewarding. Not only does this project help welcome unique pieces of theatre but also promote the a sense of community. An artistic community is so interesting because they allow for a support group of passion. They can be quite wonderful and highly supportive. There is a similar type of tradition in film spaces. It reminds me of how creating doesn't have to be long and arduous writing space. It can simply be. There is a merit to art that is made to go and in a hurry. There is also definitely a merit to how there isn’t enough space for self contained pieces that don’t add to a daily stress of everyday living. I would love to do something like this. I think it would be a fun challenge. Much fun.
This is the 22nd annual showing of the 24 Hour Plays on Broadway. It is insane to me that in 24 hours artists are expected to write, direct and perform six original short plays within 24 hours. Not only is this hard on the writer, who after a meet and greet stays up all night writing, just for one rehearsal in the morning. It will be shown in the Town Hall on November 21, and I wish I could go experience this phenomenon. Actors such as Willa Firzgerald, Mac Sherman, Sarah Steel and many many others will make up this amazing cast and creative team that will help produce six original plays. In addition to this, I find it extremely interesting that during their first meeting, of meet and greet they get to know each other and then each of them expresses at least one idea about a costume, a prop, set, or something they want to propose on stage. This process takes theatre to a whole new level. Having been established in 1995, this has brought “together creative communities to produce plays and musicals” in a whole different way than we had originally thought possible. I enjoy how collaborative this process is and how this is an example of taking theatre to an extreme.
I have known about 24 hour shows or how I have learned them as 24/7’s for most of my life however I have never had the opportunity to participate or organize one of these events. I have always associated these shows with community theater and colleges who struggle to obtain resources so I would be excited to see this type of theatrical experience from a theater company with more resources and leadership. I wish I had the time and money to go up to New York and see what the artists will come up with in just 24 hours as someone who has started planing and organizing a 24 hour theater festival focussing on gay rights. I think that 24 hour theater festivals are one of the first steps to making theater and the arts more low budget and accessible. I hope to be able to execute a 24/7 one day soon, maybe as a future playground piece.
Theo
This is such a wild concept to me that I am in awe that they managed to make it come to fruition. The idea of learning how to perform an already written and well-known play in just 24 hours is insane to me, much less write, design, stage, produce, and perform a show. This idea of a performance has definitely gone on my bucket list now that I know that it exists. I think it's really amazing that these artists are able to do this. I think it says a lot about their creativity and their adaptability that they're able to make this kind of crazy show happen. I am especially astounded that this show has managed to go on for over 20 years. I think it speaks a lot to the kind of magic that they are able to work within that time frame. I would love to see some film or writing documentation about the creative and collaborative process you go through when creating work like this. Do the actors sit in as the playwrights write? How long does the playwright write for? What does the director do? I have so many questions I want to know about this. I'm just so excited to learn more.
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