24 Hour Plays:

The 24 Hour Plays: Old Vic New Voices
Monday, July 2nd, The Atlantic Theater
8pm
336 West 20th Street, New York NY

New York’s brightest young theatrical stars face the ultimate challenge

The 24 Hour Plays: Old Vic New Voices offers emerging talent an extraordinary chance to test their skills in the ultimate theatrical challenge: The 24 Hour Plays. Since 2005, the program has brought together young professionals in London to perform on the legendary Old Vic stage. In 2007, The 24 Hour Company and the The Old Vic have teamed up once more to bring the concept to New York.


For the US debut, the final company of 40 writers, directors, producers and actors, aged 18-25, will have the unique opportunity to create six original plays for The Atlantic Theater stage, and perform them live after just one day's preparation.






To prepare for the daunting challenge ahead, the group will attend a series of workshops and panel discussions with established industry professionals, including The Old Vic Artistic Director Kevin Spacey, actors Hugh Dancy, Claire Danes, Rachel Dratch, Jonathan Groff, Robert LuPone and Aasif Mandvi, and playwrights Warren Leight and Adam Bock. The sessions focus on skills crucial for the success of the event, including writing under pressure, vocal projection, speed-learning lines and building confidence and trust.


For the past two years, the original London-based version of the program has been attracting and nurturing extraordinary young talent. Many previous participants in The 24 Hour Plays: Old Vic New Voices secured their first professional and West End contracts as a result of the project. Actor Amit Shah was offered a role in BBC 1’s Afternoon Plays. Actor Stephen Fletcher secured a part in Mary Stuart at the Donmar Warehouse, directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Actor Sam Crane secured a lead role in And Then There Were None at the Gielgud Theatre (and scored a place in New York Magazine’s London vs. NYC issue). Director Hamish Pirie was offered the role of assistant director for Peter Gill’s Epitaph for George Dillon at the Comedy Theatre. Producer James Blackman is now a senior manager at the Lyric Hammersmith. A rehearsed reading of writer Rachel Wagstaff’s play Night Sky was premiered at The Old Vic starring Christopher Eccleston and Saffron Burrows.

‘It was an invaluable opportunity to meet some greatly respected industry professionals and get advice. This sort of chance is not accessible to us as newcomers. It made The 24 Hour Plays more than an event but rather an exceptional opportunity to learn and grow as a performer – a lesson in itself. It is an incredible challenge. That moment is one of the best experiences you could hope for!


Founded by the creator of The 24 Hour Plays, The 24 Hour Company is the newest incarnation of the group of artists and producers that has mounted over 300 short plays since 1995--all written, cast, rehearsed and performed in a single day. Paper Magazine wrote “the quality of the plays is remarkable,” and the Village Voice adds, “here was the energy missing from the Ludlow scene... theatricality as life, as subversion, even survival.” The rotating cast and crew of The 24 Hour Plays have performed for sold-out houses on Broadway and at the Atlantic Theater, Minetta Lane Theater, 45 Bleecker Theater, the NY International Fringe Festival and other downtown venues in New York, as well as in Chicago and Los Angeles. Participants have included diverse talents from all levels— from Tony, Oscar and Pulitzer Prize winners to emerging talent and high school students. Visit www.24hourplays.com for more information.





OLD VIC NEW VOICES


Old Vic New Voices’ US/UK Exchange presents annual seasons of readings in New York and London, showcasing to the theatre industry in each country exceptional new writers from across the Atlantic. Proceeds from The 24 Hour Plays at The Old Vic will support the US/UK Exchange, providing vital funds for giving selected writers the chance to visit and work in their opposite country. Old Vic New Voices is also the development arm of the Old Vic Theatre. Its work includes readings and workshops with special emphasis on developing plays for large stages like The Old Vic. Visit www.oldvictheatre.com for more information.