Theater festival features plays prepared in 24 hours
Published: Sep 09 2016
![]()
Bismarck State College’s Sidney J. Lee Auditorium is the stage for the first-ever 24-Hour Play Festival Sept. 16-17 at BSC.
“Participants learn the entire theatrical process in 24 hours,” says Danny Devlin, BSC assistant professor of theatre. “And it’s a challenge to see how creatively you can use nothing.”
BSC students and alumni, as well as students from area colleges and high schools, and interested Bismarck-Mandan community members are invited to join in writing, casting, costuming, directing, rehearsing and performing 10-minute plays.
Devlin participated in a similar event at both a high school and university level in Kansas. Depending on the number of participants, Devlin expects five to 10 plays will be performed after the 24-hour prep period.
Participants gather Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. and draw names from a hat to determine what role they assume – writer, director, etc. Then the teams get to work.
“They will be given props, themes, and locations to help guide their process,” Devlin says. “This also proves that their play is an original work.”
Following the brainstorming process, the writers work through the night. By 8 a.m. the group begins rehearsals, and by 4 p.m. the technical elements are added. The curtain rises at 7 p.m. on Sept. 17.
This event is sponsored by BSC Theater department, BSC Drama Club, University of Mary Theater department and Capitol Shakespeare. Admission is free.