Southern Utah University’s student-run theatre company, Second Studio, hosted their first event of the semester Jan. 12-13. 24 Hour Theatre is a semesterly event where students have exactly 24 hours to write, stage, memorize and perform new pieces of theatre based on prompts from Second Studio’s showcase team. This semester’s event was titled “The Game’s Afoot,” with prompts based on Sherlock Holmes’ cases.
“I picked out all the themes over the summer, and I think this one just came to me,” said Second Studio showcase director Abbie Cochrane.
Students who signed up to be writers received their prompts Friday night at 7 p.m. and had until 6 a.m. Saturday to submit their completed scripts. Directors and actors convened at 8 a.m. and had until 4:30 that afternoon to stage and memorize their scenes.
Cochrane and showcase manager Spencer Smith facilitated the entire event, staying awake for not only the 24 hours the event ran for but also the majority of the day before.
“It’s a lot of energy drinks and a lot of snacks,” said Smith. “I woke up at 7 a.m. [Friday] morning, and I have not slept since. I do not feel like a person.” Part of the facilitation process included reviewing every script as they were submitted and answering any questions from writers throughout the night.
Student actors worked closely with their directors to stage their scenes. Groups were also responsible for providing their own props and costumes, with the exception of one prop per group that was provided by Second Studio’s showcase team.
“Since it’s so fast-paced, everyone just kind of has to work with their first instincts, which tend to be really funny and really good,” said Hannah Leming, an actor in one of the scenes who has participated in 24 Hour Theatre in past semesters.
24 Hour Theatre is a recurring event that is open to all SUU students, not just those in the theatre program.
“Theatre is a natural human form of expression, otherwise it won’t have stuck around for as long as it has,” said Smith. “I don’t care if you’re a geoscience major or a BFA student — you’re going to have a good time regardless.”
Author: Tessa Cheshire
Photographer: Shay Wilkey
arts@suunews.net
