The concept is this; everyone involved gets together at 8pm on a Friday night. Writers are paired up with Directors using that age old “pick names out of a hat” system. The actors are required to bring a personal prop with them to this meeting whereby they explain their connection to said prop. Then there is a 2 round “draft” for actors with the remaining actors being dispersed evenly among all teams. After all “teams” are assembled the Actors and Directors go home and get a good night’s sleep.
The Writers then sequester themselves in a room until 7am when they are required to have written a 10 page script utilizing at least one of their actors’ props. They also must somehow refer to the series sponsor “Rader Stop Smoking.” At 8am the Directors show up and go over the scripts with the Writers. The actors show up at 9am and rehearsal happens until 4pm. There’s a 2 hour break and at 6pm the show goes into tech for an 8pm curtain.
In a nutshell, it’s madness. And great fun. I was an audience member last Saturday night and had a GREAT time. Seriously, it’s amazing to see what people can put together in such a short amount of time with certain guidelines and limitations. I had so much fun that I have even decided to forgo my personal statement of “not doing any theatre in the month of July” and will be volunteering my services as Stage Manager for the evening.
This Saturday night will be the final installment of this initial incarnation. We hope to bring this back possibly once a month as 3 weekends in a row is finally taking its toll on the Producers health.
Ticket prices are $24 and can be purchased online. Proceeds for this event go to help save The Elephant Asylum Theatre from extinction….and popsicles will be served at the end of the night.
24 Hour Rush Theatre
Elephant Asylum Theatre
6820 Santa Monica Blvd.
(between Cahuenga and Vine)
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Sounds like a lot of fun and I want to support the theatre but have plans this sat. night. Lemme know when it starts up again and I'll also see if I can round up a crew to see 7 redneck cheerleaders .. that'll be my 3rd time :)
Posted by: Lisa | July 19, 2006 at 02:06 AM