Colleges converge to collaborate in 24-Hour Plays

News Release
September 1, 2010
Colleges converge to collaborate in 24-Hour Plays

Media Contact: Bruce Peterson, (800) 842-6063 ext. 4216

Collegiate “realignment” is nothing new at the William Inge Center for the Arts at Independence Community College. During the Center’s “College 24 Hour Plays” students from giant “Big 12” universities mix it up in theater with students from small private colleges and junior colleges of the Jayhawk Conference.

This unique event takes place Saturday, September 11, at 8:00 p.m. at ICC’s William Inge Theatre. Sponsored by the William Inge Center for the Arts, admission is $5 general, $2 students, free to ICC staff and students.

Faculty and students will gather from such disparate campuses as Oklahoma City University, Kansas State University, the University of Arkansas, Wichita State University, Missouri Southern State University, Southwestern College of Winfield, and host ICC. Other schools are also anticipated.

But they will all join in one common goal: writing and producing six original short plays in just one day time, to be presented to the public on Saturday, September 11.

“Theater is a collaborative art, and faculty from drama schools throughout the Midwest recognizes the mind-boggling academic and artistic challenge the 24 Hour Plays provide their students,” said Peter Ellenstein, Inge Center Artistic Director. “There is nothing like it in the Midwest.”

The 24-Hour Plays is “instant theater” in which talented drama undergrad students, work with graduate students and faculty members to create six new short plays. The scripts are written by six participants and then produced by dozens of actors, designers, technicians and directors, working double speed in just one day’s time.

The show itself is about 90 minutes long and is performed at 8 p.m. Sept. 12. The plays may possibly contain mature themes and is recommended for older students and adults.

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 William Inge Center for the Arts is one of the nation’s leading rural arts organizations. It 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, Pulitzer and Oscar-winning playwright and screenwriter, and native of Independence.

The Inge Center is funded in part by grants from the Kansas Arts Commission, Hallmark Corporation, and the Dramatists Guild of New York.

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-Hour Company website at www.24hourplays.com.