The 24 Hour Plays Los Angeles

This past summer the Urban Arts Partnership asked 24 actors in Los Angeles to participate in their annual “24 Hour Play.” This is how it works: They invite 24 actors, 6 writers and 6 directors to meet at the theater on a Friday night. Everyone is asked to bring props, one costume and asked to name one skill and stage aspiration.

We all sat in a circle and went around one by one introducing ourselves, props and described our fun facts. The actors are then asked to go home so the writers can goto work. With all the information they are given about the actors, they each write a short play and cast 4 actors. They spend all night writing their play.

Saturday morning the actors and directors head back to the theater and break into their respective groups. Each group is assigned a director. We then spend the next 9 hours, rehearsing, prepping, eating, and rehearsing some more! Then the actors head into hair and makeup. By 7pm it’s showtime!!!! We literally meet and greet, have a play written and perform in front of a live audience, all in 24 HOURS (hence the name)! All the proceeds from ticket sales goes to the Urban Arts Organization which helps keep the Arts in our schools.

I grew up attending public schools in San Francisco and was grateful to have participated in after school theater programs as well as creative art classes, keeping me out of trouble and giving me a reason to want to goto school. As you know, with all the budget cuts for our public schools, the first programs to be cut are the Art Programs. Here’s more info about the Urban Arts and how you can get involved!

Read more about the 24 hour play here!

Here’s my groups! Molly Sims, David Krumholtz, our director Leigh Kilton-Smith, and Ian Harding.

Messing around with one our props. A tiny Q-tip.

ON to the after party. I wish I was able to somehow show you our play. It was a magical experience and my first time on stage. Guess you’ll have to attend the next 24 Hour Play to really experience what I’m talking about. I’ll see you next year! It’s for a great cause!!

What I’m wearing: Dress by Lovers and Friends