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Foremost colleges represented at 24-Hour Plays

 

 

Independence Community College is again host to the best theatrical talent from well-known Midwestern universities at the 8^th Annual “College 24-Hour Plays” sponsored by the William Inge Center for the Arts, Saturday, September 6^th, at Independence Community College.  Curtain time is 8 p.m. and admission is $5 general, $3 students.

 

The cast includes graduate student actors and directors from numerous major Midwestern drama schools, including the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas State University, and the University of Kansas.  Participants are also anticipated from Southwestern College of Winfield, Allen County Community College, Hutchinson Community College, Fort Scott Community College, and, of course, host Independence Community College.

 

The 24-Hour Plays is “instant theater” in which these talented drama students create six new short plays crafted by six student writers and dozens of actors, designers, technicians and directors, working double speed in just one day’s time.  It is an incredible academic and artistic challenge.

 

“Just as important, the 24-Hour Plays build cooperative relationships and networks among regional collegiate drama departments,” said Ellenstein.  “Theatre is a collaborative art, and this process really helps build collaborative spirit among quite different types of colleges.”

 

The students meet the day before the performance and through feverish work prepare “world premieres” of new short plays by 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 6.  The performance runs about one hour. The plays may contain mature themes.

 

This event is presented in collaboration with the original 24-Hour Plays Company.  Since it was created in 1995 by Christina Fallon, the 24-Hour Company has produced more than 300 new short plays.  Audiences have enjoyed these fresh productions in cities, colleges and high schools all over the country.  One high-profile event, a benefit for New York City schools, takes place on Broadway and features star actors.

 

The Inge Center sponsors educational and cultural events year-round.  It is best known for its annual William Inge Theatre Festival.  The Inge Center is named for the late William Inge, a native of Independence and Pulitzer and Oscar-winning playwright and screenwriter.

 

The Inge Center is funded in part by grants from the Kansas Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Cessna Foundation, and the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, Trustee.

 

For more information on the 24-Hour Plays or additional Inge Center activities, call (800) 842-6063, ext. 5835 or visit the William Inge Center for the Arts website:  www.ingecenter.org or the official 24-HourCompany website at www.24hourplays.com.