Lowell — It was 10 a.m. on a recent Saturday and the stage of the Lowell Performing Arts Center and its adjoining hallways and rooms were abuzz with rehearsals.
Actors, directors and crew for six freshly written 10-minute plays had only held their scripts for a mere three hours, and showtime was at 7 p.m.
“It was oddly inspiring to have to fit that creative process into 12 hours, because a lot of times everyone talks about how long it takes to write a play,” said junior Perseus Wale, who was headed home for a nap after completing his first-ever script, titled “Love Island: Civil War Edition.”
Perseus and five other fledgling Lowell High School student playwrights had worked from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday to craft original productions with just the following parameters: each had to include the line, “Who are you?” and each had to include a buoy as a prop.
‘This isn’t about perfection. It’s about being creative, taking risks and working together.’
— LPAC Director Julia Crawford
Their peers then had 12 hours to rehearse, after which they performed the pieces for a live audience.
Chaos, Fun, Creativity
This is the first year LHS produced a 24-hour theater event. A few LHS staffers heard about the concept while visiting New York City last summer for the Broadway Teachers Workshop.
The framework comes from The 24 Hour Plays, a program that is fully licensable and comes with a complete production handbook.
To prepare, Julia Crawford, LPAC director; and Amanita Fahrni, LPAC play and musical director, took several fall play students to East Grand Rapids High School’s 24-hour theatre production to see how the process works.
Northview High School also has held the 24-hour events.
All LHS students were welcome to participate, and about 30 signed up this year. There were no auditions, and no prior theatre experience was required. Students simply ranked their preferred roles and were placed accordingly.
“The level of enthusiasm has exceeded our expectations, and we’re excited to bring this new creative tradition,” Crawford said. “My biggest hope is that students walk away feeling proud. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about being creative, taking risks and working together. They get to try new roles, support one another and see an idea become a performance in a single day.
“It might be a little chaotic, but I’m also hoping it’s fun, and that it shows them that they’re capable of so much more than they realize.”
‘Theater kids are so welcoming’
In the props room, freshman Evie Austhof was sifting through plastic tubs in search of “a black cap, fairy wings and some wolf ears. And there will probably be more stuff,” she told a visitor.
“Last year I worked the sound stage for one of the plays, and I’m really into the backstage stuff,” Evie explained. “But I’ve never done anything like this. I’m really excited.”
In a darkened hallway off the auditorium, junior Bella Cherpas sat on the floor with three others, rehearsing their lines.
“Let’s just say I’m Death, and I have a job to do,” said Bella, who held a cardboard sickle. It was her first time trying acting.
“I have really bad social anxiety, but I had a theater class last semester and this just looked fun to do,” she said.
Explained seasoned thespian, freshman Everley Postema: “You don’t have to be outgoing. Even if you don’t have any experience, this is a good way to see what it’s like. And I just think theater kids are so welcoming.”
Added Bella: “And this is high school, so that means a lot.”
Read more from Lowell:
•Middle-schoolers develop skills, confidence through theater
•Theater students find community through ‘Matilda’ musical
