In celebration of the Pantages Theatre’s 100th anniversary, Hennepin Theatre Trust and the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) are partnering to present a unique and engaging theatrical experience — a performance of The 24 Hour Plays®. This event brings together the extraordinary talent of local and nationally-known artists to create and perform brand-new theatrical works within 24 hours. All ticket sale proceeds go directly to support programs for young up-and-coming musical theatre talent in Minnesota.
Six playwrights, six directors, 24 actors and a musical guest create six new short plays in the course of a single day — and perform them in front of a live audience that night.
The performance features some of the hottest theatrical talent in the Twin Cities, as well as nationally recognizable artists from the stage (think Broadway) and screen.
The 24 Hour Plays is a non-profit, NYC-based production team that engages teams of artists to create short theatrical work in 24 hours — and helps raise millions of dollars for charities across the world. Previous engagements include Broadway, London, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dublin and Germany.
In Minneapolis, this one-time performance takes place at the historic Pantages Theatre — located in the WeDo™ MPLS Cultural District — on Monday, March 13 at 8 p.m. It marks the first time The 24 Hour Plays has been produced in the state of Minnesota.
Here’s how the 24-hour creative process works:
- On Sunday, March 12, the teams gather that night at the Pantages, the actors present their props and the writers get inspired. When the actors and directors leave to sleep, the writers vie for the actors they want to work with and stay up all night writing new plays.
- On Monday, March 13, the directors arrive to the Pantages in the morning and vie for the play they want to direct. The actors then arrive and find out their roles — and rehearsals begin. Following a short tech run thru that afternoon, the curtain rises on the presentation of new plays that evening.
All proceeds from the performance’s ticket sales go to support Spotlight Education — the flagship education program of the Trust that engages Minnesota high schools in the performing arts — and a scholarship for students enrolled in the UMD School of Fine Arts (Department of Theatre).
Tickets to the performance range from $45 to $150 with special benefits attached to higher level ticketing — and a special student discount of $15 off any priced ticket.
For more information about The 24 Hours Plays at the Pantages and to purchase tickets, go to HennepinTheatreTrust.org.
About Hennepin Theatre Trust
Hennepin Theatre Trust is a nonprofit organization that creates positive change through the arts by bringing together people, businesses and organizations in WeDo™, the West Downtown MPLS Cultural District, to create and enjoy cultural experiences.
We want everyone who comes to WeDo to have a unique experience. Our historic theatres – the Orpheum, State and Pantages – light up Hennepin Avenue with the best of Broadway and world-class entertainment. Our New Century Theatre is home to professional local productions and talent. Our Spotlight Education program inspires high school students through musical theatre.
Beyond our theatre doors, we connect people to unexpected arts and cultural experiences like the iconic Bob Dylan mural and our art-in-underused spaces project, Made Here. Our collaborations with businesses, artists, local officials and other arts and culture organizations bring a wide range of quality activities and entertainment to WeDo.
Learn more at HennepinTheatreTrust.org and WedoMpls.org.
About UMD School of Fine Arts (Department of Theatre)
UMD’s Department of Theatre, providing academic and professional training in the theatre arts, is housed in the Marshall Performing Arts Center (MPAC), which includes a 550-seat flexible thrust/proscenium theatre, a black-box experimental theatre, full equipped scenic and costume shops, computerized lighting control, digital and analog audio playback stations and studio space for acting, dance and design.
About The 24 Hour Plays
Since 1995, The 24 Hour Plays (Mark Armstrong, Executive Director, Tina Fallon, Founding Producer) have brought extraordinary artist together to create time-limited theater around the world. In addition to The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway and The 24 Hour Musicals in New York City, regular events take place in London, Los Angeles, Dublin, Germany, Athens, Helsinki, Mexico City and Florence. Through collaborations with organizations including The Old Vic Theatre, Dublin Youth Theatre, Urban Arts Partnership, Cornerstone Theater Company, The Orchard Project, Bennington College and The Del Sole Foundation, The 24 Hour Company’s productions have raised millons of dollars for charities. Each summer, The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals bring together young actors, directors, playwrights and producers for an intensive professional experience that culminates in their own production of The 24 Hour Plays. Licensed affiliates produce their own versions of The 24 Hour Plays in regional and professional theaters, college and universities, and just about everywhere you can find a curtain and a stage. www.24hourplays.com