Actors, writers, and directors needed

The following is an ad from X-Performance Group. Please see my commentary below:


Needed: Actors, writers, directors and spaces on Avenue of the Arts for the next edition of 24 Hour Theatre - Saturday, May 12, 2007.

This will be the 19th production of 24 Hour Theatre, which has been performed at least twice a year in galleries and warehouses since 1999.

This production will be organized by local underground performers X-Performance Group and Space vs Time in partnership with the Dwelling Place, which founded the Avenue of the Arts several years ago.

The unique 24 Hour Theatre experience consists of five original one-act plays that are written, directed, and performed within a twenty-four hour period.

This time, the plays will be performed in five apartments and storefronts along the Avenue of the Arts, which runs along Division Avenue from Weston to Wealthy in Downtown Grand Rapids. Like the popular Arts Walks, the audience will travel from space to space, enjoying all of the artistic talent in this town.

24 Hour Theatre actually begins the day before at 8 pm with five writers gathering to get direction from the show's producer, Rachel Finan. Then fortified by plenty of coffee and lots of donuts, they write their plays until 6 am Saturday morning. Directors for each play arrive an hour later and to talk with the writers, who then go to sleep. The actors arrive at 8 am and then they rehearse with the directors until 7 pm. The audience shows up at 8 pm and the show starts at 8:30 pm.

Nearly 100 plays with 350 characters have been performed through this exhausting process. "We get a lot of support from the local theatre community," said Ms. Finan. "Despite what they say, they are energized by the less-experienced performers and they like being able to play different characters."

24 Hour Theatre will begin at the Martineau Apartments at 106 Division Avenue South. Doors will open at 7 pm and the plays will begin at 8 pm. Tickets are $7 and available at the door. For more information, or to participate in this event contact Rachel Finan at yoroc111@aol.com or go to www.spacevstime.com.



I have participated in 24 hour theatre at various times as an actor, a writer, and a director. It is a great experience for the experienced and inexperienced alike. If you are looking for a unique experience that will stretch your abilities and your test your limits, I suggest you give it a try. You should contact Rachel directly if you are intrested, but please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the experience.