Creativity, collaboration, and theatrical innovation will take center stage at Independence Community College as the William Inge Center for the Arts hosts the annual 24-Hour Plays on Saturday, August 15. Performances start at 7:00 p.m., and admission is free.
The 24-Hour Plays challenge participants to write, cast, rehearse, and perform a collection of original short plays, all within just 24 hours. High school students from across the region will join Independence Community College theatre students and faculty for an immersive experience that transforms fresh ideas into fully staged productions in a single day.
From the first brainstorming session to the final curtain call, every script, rehearsal, and performance is created within a 24-hour period. The event offers aspiring playwrights, actors, directors, and technicians an opportunity to sharpen their creative skills while experiencing the collaborative nature of live theatre.
"The 24-Hour Plays remind us that theatre is a process. By condensing that process into such a short time period, the event highlights the power of imagination, teamwork, and creative risk-taking," said Cooper Sivara, Director of Theatre Performance at Independence Community College. "We invite high school students from the surrounding area to be a part of the process. Seeing them work outside of normal conditions leads to a tremendous amount of growth. We invite the audience to witness something truly unique; all created within a day."
The annual event has become a tradition at Independence Community College, celebrating creativity while introducing prospective students to the collaborative environment of the college's theatre program. Participants gain hands-on experience in every aspect of theatrical production, developing confidence, communication skills, and creative problem-solving in a fast-paced setting.
Community members are invited to attend the public performance and experience an evening of original theatre unlike any other. Every play is written, rehearsed, and performed for the first and only time, making each performance unique.
24-Hour Plays
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Location: William Inge Theatre, Independence Community College
Admission: Free and open to the public
For additional information about the 24-Hour Plays or the Independence Community College Theatre Program, contact the William Inge Center for the Arts at (620) 332-5492 or visit www.indycc.edu.