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BSC Theater presents plays prepared in 24 hours

Published: Sep 11 2017
BSC Theater presents plays prepared in 24 hours - Photo
Bismarck State College’s Sidney J. Lee Auditorium is the stage for the 2nd Annual 24-Hour Play Festival Sept. 15-16 at BSC.

“This is a truly unique theatrical experience, there is nothing else like the 24-Hour Play Festival in the entire state of North Dakota,” says Danny Devlin, BSC assistant professor of theatre.

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.

Participants gather Friday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 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 a set of given circumstances, broken up into groups, and will write, direct, rehearse, design, and perform a brand new play that will premiere just 24 hours later,” Devlin says.
 
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 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 16. Devlin expects four to five plays will be performed after the 24-hour prep period. The process can be followed all night and day on Facebook.

This event is sponsored by the BSC Theater department and BSC Drama Club. Admission is free.