Justin Bartha, Michael Cerveris, Amber Tamblyn and More Slated for THE 24 HOUR PLAYS on Broadway

The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway announced today the cast for its anticipated annual production at American Airlines Theater on November 14, 2016.

The intensive theatrical endeavor brings together distinguished professionals from across the nation's entertainment industry to write, direct, and perform six original plays within 24 hours. Proceeds from the one-night-only performance of the works will benefit the Company's program supporting theater professionals 25 and under-The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals.

Actors planning to participate in this year's event include: Justin Bartha (The Hangover); Jason Biggs (Orange is the New Black); Michael Cerveris (Fun Home); Michael Chernus (OITNB); Joanna Christie (Narcos); Hugh Dancy (Hannibal); Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live); Grace Gummer (Mr. Robot); Mamie Gummer (The End of the Tour); Gaby Hoffmann (Transparent); David Krumholtz (Numbers); Andre Royo (The Wire); Thomas Sadoski (The Newsroom); Justice Smith (The Get Down); Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia); and Alicia Witt (The Walking Dead). New York-based singer, songwriter, and playwright Ethan Lipton and his Orchestra will be the musical guests for the evening.

The Company has also announced five writers that will participate in the creation of the six original plays: Pulitzer-prize winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire; playwright Hansol Jung; playwright and television producer Warren Leight; playwright Jonathan Marc Sherman; and Drama Desk Award-winning playwright Bess Wohl. Additional cast members, writers, and directors will be announced over the coming weeks.

"This year, we are proud to be once again working with a diversity of great talent spanning the entertainment industry-from upcoming actors leading hit television series, to those breaking ground in theater and film," said Mark Armstrong, Executive Director of The 24 Hour Plays. "The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway has always provided an opportunity for many actors to try their hand at theater for the first time, while others return to the art form we all fell in love with. We look forward to seeing the six original productions this group will create."

Earlier this fall, The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway announced Tony-nominated director Leigh Silverman as the honoree for the evening. At the event, playwright Lisa Kron and actor Jayne Houdyshell will speak to Ms. Silverman's influential work.

The marathon process for The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway begins at 10 p.m. the night before the performance. The writers, directors, actors, and production staff-many of whom have never worked with or met each other before-gather for an orientation where they are asked to share one costume piece, one prop, a special skill, and to reveal something that they have always wanted to do on stage. Using these items as inspiration, the writers spend the night developing 10-minute plays. At 9 a.m. on the morning of the event, the actors receive their roles and the directors arrive to begin rehearsal. Less than 12 hours later, they must be ready to perform in front of a live audience.

Following the November 14 gala, productions of The 24 Hour Plays are planned to take place in Denmark, Germany, Mexico and Dublin as well as in various theaters across the United States.

THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY is set for November 14, 2016 at 8 p.m. at The American Airlines Theater. Tickets for The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway are available for purchase online at www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=16t752&ss=1. Special access packages are available at www.citiprivatepass.com.

KEVYN AUCOIN BEAUTY will sponsor the evening's makeup looks, using iconic Kevyn Aucoin products to create classic, flawless faces for The 24 Hour Plays cast.

THE INTERVAL, a theatre website founded to be a virtual home for female voices and promote gender parity in theatre, is a supporting sponsor of the evening's festivities.

The 24 Hour Plays began in 1995 on New York City's Lower East Side, when Tina Fallon and a group of friends wanted to find a way to make theater with limited access to time, funds, and space. In 1997, The 24 Hour Company was created by Fallon, Lindsay Bowen and Kurt Gardner, all of whom remain on the company's board today.

Through regular productions-including The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway, The 24 Hour Musicals and additional shows in London, Los Angeles, Dublin, Athens and Florence-The 24 Hour Plays have brought together extraordinary artists to create time-limited theater around the world in order. Through collaborations with organizations like Urban Arts Partnership, London's Old Vic Theatre, The Del Sole Foundation and Dublin Youth Theatre, The 24 Hour Plays have raised millions of dollars for charity.

In 1997, The 24 Hour Company began licensing its trademark The 24 Hour Plays® along with the process, production handbook and other materials to select charitable and educational groups. Licensed affiliates have produced their own versions of it in regional and professional theaters, colleges and universities, and just about everywhere you can find a curtain and a stage. Now in its sixth year, The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals utilizes the company's unique process to bring together the next generation of actors, directors, playwrights and producers ages 25 and under. Go to www.24hourplays.com for more.