WAM Theatre Brings 24-Hour Theatre Project to UAlbany Tonight

One night to write...one day to play. The clock starts ticking when the playwrights' fingers hit their keyboards and ends with a final bow from 50+ theatre artists who have convened for just 24 hours to create and present five new works. Back by popular demand, the 24-Hour Theatre Project, a staple of past WAM seasons, returns to the Performing Arts Center at the University at Albany tonight, April 2. For more information, visit www.wamtheatre.com/2016-24-hour-theatre-project.

Combining the spontaneous creativity of improvisational theatre with the rigorous professionalism and production value of scripted theatre, the project brings together the best playwrights, directors, and actors from across the Capital Region and the Berkshires to beat the clock.

"This event holds a warm place in our hearts at WAM," said WAM Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven. "We are delighted the UAlbany PAC has invited us to bring it to life again. The space at UAlbany is perfect for this project. We can't wait to fill it with artists and create five new plays in 24 hours!"

This year's participants include playwrights Kat Koppett, Jessica Provenz, Maizy Scarpa, Yvette "Jamuna" Sirker and Jane Denitz Smith; directors David Adkins, Michael Burns, Molly Clancy, Yvonne Perry, and Chris Woodworth; and actors Brendan Cataldo, Brenny Rabine, Colleen Lovett, Don Paul Shannon, Eileen Schuyler, JV Hampton VanSant, Kathleen Carey, Kelsey Keane, Ward Dales, Corinna May, Leigh Strimbeck, Lia Russell Self, Marnie Andrews, Peter Delocis, Sean Dolnick, Stephanie Carlson, Tom Jaeger, Tyiesha Dejesus and Ulisses Gonsalves.

The production staff and designer team includes scenic designer Juliana von Haubrich; costume designers Brittney Belz and Peggy Walsh; lighting designers Robyn Warfield and James Bilnoski; sound designers Beth Lake and Michael Chaney; technical director Sam Craig; production stage manager Hope Rose Kelly; stage managers Joe Sicotte, Kadie McTeigue, Laura Gomez, Melissa Rao and Shannon McManus; and set crew members Annaleigh Lester, Eddie Knight, and Maghen Ryan.

Past participants sum about the experience in a variety of ways. For 2012 director Sara Katzoff, "The 24 hour theater project was an incredibly exciting avenue that brought together so many disparate movers and shakers within the theater community and united us in complete, full-contact collaboration!" Two time participant and actor Eileen Schuyler is back and claims, "It's a once in a lifetime theatre event. Let the rumpus begin!"

In keeping with WAM's double philanthropic model, a portion of the box office proceeds will be donated to the UAlbany Initiatives for Women (IFW) grant program. IFW benefits women students, faculty, and staff and the University at Albany and the community as a whole by providing them the means to advance their educational and professional goals. An all volunteer Committee runs the Initiatives For Women Program under the auspices of the University at Albany Office of the Provost. The Committee members are absolutely dedicated to the IFW motto : SUPPORT HER DREAM. For more, visit www.albany.edu/ifw.

IF YOU GO:

24 Hour Theatre Project

Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 pm

At the UAlbany Performing Arts Center

Advance tickets: $15 general public; $10 students, seniors & UAlbany faculty-staff
Day of show tickets: $20 general public; $15 students, seniors & UAlbany faculty-staff

www.albany.edu/pac/prime_performances.shtml?tab=tab4

Cast and Creative Team:

Playwrights: Kat Koppett, Jessica Provenz, Maizy Scarpa, Yvette "Jamuna" Sirker, Jane Denitz Smith

Directors: David Adkins, Michael Burns, Molly Clancy, Yvonne Perry, Chris Woodworth

Actors: Marnie Andrews, Brendan Cataldo, Kathleen Carey, Stephanie Carlson, Ward Dales, Tyiesha Dejesus, Peter Delocis, Sean Dolnick, Ulisses Gonsalves, Tom Jaeger, Kelsey Keane, Colleen Lovett, Corinna May, Brenny Rabine, Lia Russell Self, Don Paul Shannon, Eileen Schuyler, Leigh Strimbeck, and JV Hampton VanSant

Stage Managers: Hope Rose Kelly (Production Stage Manager), Laura Gomez, Shannon McManus, Melissa Rao, Kadie McTeigue, and Joe Sicotte

Designers: Brittney Belz (Costume Design), James Bilnoski (Lighting Design), Michael Chaney (Sound Design), Beth Lake (Sound Design), Juliana von Haubrich (Scenic Design), Peggy Walsh (Costume Design), and Robyn Warfield (Lighting Design)

Tech & Set Crew: Sam Craig (Technical Director), Eddie Knight, Annaleigh Lester, and Maghen Ryan

Presented by the Performing Arts Center in collaboration with WAM Theatre and in conjunction with the NYS Writers Institute. Support provided by the University at Albany Foundation, University Auxiliary Services and Hampton Inn.

Based in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, WAM Theatre is Where Arts and Activism Meet. The company was co-founded in 2010 by Canadian director, actor, educator, and producer Kristen van Ginhoven. WAM's vision is to create opportunity for women and girls through the mission of theatre as philanthropy.

Inspired by the book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, WAM donates a portion of the proceeds from its theatrical events to organizations that benefit women and girls.

Over the past six years, WAM Theatre has donated more than $21,000 to eight nonprofit organizations and provided paid work to more than 175 theatre artists. In addition to the main stage productions and special events, WAM Theatre's activities include a comprehensive educational outreach program and the Fresh Takes Play Reading Series. For more information, visit www.WAMTheatre.com.

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