“24 Hour Plays” on Broadway

The tenth annual production of "24 Hour Plays on Broadway" will begin on Nov. 14. The actual performance will occur on Nov. 15 at the American Airlines Theatre in New York from 8 to 10:30 p.m. "24 Hour Plays" gives distinguished writers, directors and actors the chance to produce and perform six ten-minute plays in one day. This year's cast boasts celebrities like Elijah Wood, America Ferrera, Naomi Watts and Kyra Sedgwick. The playwrights are similarly notable, including Mike Doughty, Rajiv Joseph, Lynn Nottage and Theresa Rebeck. Previous performances have impressed audiences with appearances from Billy Crudup, David Cross and Jennifer Aniston. Over the years, the short plays have covered a wide spectrum of topics and storylines, with titles ranging from "Mars Has Never Been This Close" to "I'm All About Lesbians" and "Rachel Said Sorry."

Executive producer Tina Fallon, who had drawn inspiration from artist Scott McCloud's 24-Hour Comic challenge, founded "24 Hour Plays" in 1995, originally as a similarly exciting challenge. In 2001, the project evolved into a charity event, benefiting non-profit organizations like Urban Arts Partnership, which encourages educational arts programs in underserved public schools in New York City. Proceeds go towards after-school programs and classes designed to encourage creative students. Sponsored by Montblanc since 2007, "24 Hour Plays" raised a substantial $350,000 last year with a star-studded cast that included Demi Moore, Eva Mendes, Emmy Rossum, Ashton Kutcher and Brooke Shields.

In theory, the idea of gathering six writers, six directors and 24 actors to write, direct and perform six ten-minute plays is quite simple. In practice, the process is chaotic but excitingly refreshing. Everyone gathers in a chosen theater in New York City at 10 p.m. to introduce themselves and meet each other. Actors bring a few props and elaborate on any special skills they might have. After about an hour, everyone leaves for a good night's rest except for the writers, who are left to come up with a ten-minute play before 7 a.m. The writers survey the stage to help them create scenes and decide which actors they want. Some finish early and others are hit by writer's block, but at 7 a.m., the writers hand their scripts over to the directors. The directors read all six scripts and rank them in their order of preference. After producers assign plays to directors, the directors confer with writers on the specifics of the play. At around 8:30 a.m., actors arrive and begin to read scripts and rehearse their parts both on- and off- stage. Meanwhile, the tech crew tests sound and lighting to prepare for a smooth performance. At 8 p.m., people fill up the theater seats and actors ready themselves for their performance.

The performance, however, does not focus only on established and recognized stars. Instead, "24 Hour Plays" enriches the experience by directly engaging students who have benefited from Urban Arts Partnership. For example, the sold-out 2009 event featured Joshua Romas and Sydney White, two New York City high school students, reading their poem "I Pity the Silent." This year, Elizabeth Cruz Cortes, the winner of the Montblanc Young Writers competition, will collaborate with Stephen Belber to write one of the six plays. To open the show, Urban Arts student Charles Prophet will be reading his own poetry.

"24 Hour Plays on Broadway" has inspired spin-offs like "College 24 Hour Plays" and "24 Hour Musicals," involving students and professionals in a collaborative endeavor. Playscripts, Inc. recently published 24 pieces selected from the over 300 plays created and performed in an anthology titled "24 by 24: The 24 Hour Plays."

To learn more, please visit www.24hourplays.com, www.urbanarts.org.