258 After cancellations, a year of COVID-19 restrictions and rescheduled dates, the Campus Players’ 24-hour writing project returned to normal in fall 2022 for the first time since fall 2019. It was a two-day process that required intense commitment from everyone involved. Senior Josie Holman, who worked on the project as a director, gave a rundown of what the weekend looked like. Participants signed up ahead of time to be writers, directors and actors. The writers arrived at the Ulrey Performing Arts Center to start from scratch on their scripts at 6 p.m. Friday night, and the directors arrived at 9 p.m. Until 1 a.m., the writers and directors worked together to discuss the scripts, make changes and plan for auditions the next day. The actors showed up early the next morning, and the directors held a “cattle-call” audition where all of the actors read different monologues. Based on that information, the directors deliberated on which shows to cast each actor in. Holman said the format of auditions was unique because all of the actors were guaranteed a role. “We wrote the scripts specifically so that all the people had an opportunity, and we placed everyone where we felt that they would be best utilized,” Holman said. Senior Corinne Tabor, an actor in the project, said the lack of pressure made the audition process more enjoyable. “We got to improv a little bit with each other and just really have fun,” Tabor said. “Everybody was excited, and there was no stress because everybody knew they were going to get cast, so it was just a good bonding time for everybody.” Senior Trey Bailey, who also participated in the project, agreed. “People got to really cut loose and take risks they wouldn’t usually take, which leads to a lot of laughs Write All Night The Campus Players complete the 24-hour writing project for the first time in two years. and a lot of jokes,” Bailey said. “You truly feel like a community in that moment, not trying to one up each other or get a spot [in a show] but just appreciate theatre.” After all of the roles were cast, the directors and actors had only a few hours to block, rehearse lines, and find props and costumes before it was time to pack up and head to the Reynolds Recital Hall for the performances. “Performing was so much fun — getting to sit in the audience and watch your friends go before you do and then getting up there,” Tabor said. “It’s a creative experience that we don’t typically get to do in a college setting. It’s unique, just strictly fun theatre.” Tabor was one of the only participants in the 2022 24-hour writing project who experienced it in full force in 2019. She remembered the way she felt doing it for the first time as a new transfer student in fall 2019. “It was so fast, in 24 hours putting on all these shows, but it was so much fun, and it was exhilarating,” Tabor said. “After that, I felt like I had a place in the theatre department and could talk to more people because we had had this bonding experience of, ‘Oh my goodness, we had to do all this stuff in 24 hours.’ And now it’s really fun being an upperclassman and getting to bring in the freshmen who are in that spot.” In addition to the connections and new friendships, Bailey said the project brought an experience for theatre students and non-theatre students alike. “The 24-hour writing project allows you to just ‘do,’” Bailey said. “Never written something before? Scared to act? This is the time to ‘do.’ People will help you along the way. You’ll make friends, and it’s a safe way to dip your toes in the water. Theatre or not, you can do anything and be able to jut have fun with it.” Written by: Morgan Wrigley
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