HTT Announces Additional Casting for THE 24 HOUR PLAYS

Hennepin Theatre Trust and University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) School of Fine Arts have announced additional casting for the second annual performance of THE 24 HOUR PLAYS on Monday, March 26 at 8 p.m. at the historic Pantages Theatre (710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis).

Minnesota native and Broadway star Laura Osnes will host the evening and The Hornheads will be the featured musical guest. Osnes is a two-time Tony Award-nominee and the Trust's Spotlight Education spokesperson. She most recently starred in the Broadway productions of Bandstand and Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. The Hornheads are an extraordinarily talented group of horn players who have most notably recorded with Prince, Chaka Khan and Mavis Staples.

The evening will also feature stars of stage and screen, as well as the hottest theatrical talent in the Twin Cities. Joining the cast are film star Maria Thayer Broadway veteran Kendra Kassebaum. Thayer is known for roles in the on-screen comedies Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Accepted. Kassebaum recently featured starred on Broadway in Come From Away and has performed Wicked as Glinda, Rent, Assassins and Leap of Faith.

Returning to THE 24 HOUR PLAYS are Twin Cities favorites including Hope Nordquist and Nicholas Freeman.THE 24 HOUR PLAYS MINNEAPOLIS is excited to welcome new cast members C. Ryan Shipley, Rudolph Searles III, Tinia Moulder, Kelly Grussendorf, Maureen-Sherman Mendez, Tommy Benson, Fernando Collado, Janet Hayes Trow and UMD students Kevin Dudstrode and Tolu Ekisolu.

Tickets are $35.00 each. A limited number of VIP packages are available for $75 which includes premium seating and admission to the pre-show VIP reception with food, drink and entertainment. A limited number of VIP packages are available for $100 which include all of the above and admission to the post-show cast party. All pricing includes a Building Restoration Fee of $4.00

Tickets are on sale now at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis), by calling (800) 982-2787 or by clicking to HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

This unique and engaging theatrical experience brings together the extraordinary talent of locally and nationally known artists to create and perform six brand-new theatrical works within 24 hours with proceeds supporting programs for young up-and-coming musical theatre talent in Minnesota.

On Sunday, March 25, the actors, writers and director meet in the evening to present props, ideas and inspirations. When the actors and directors leave for the night, the writers cast the actors and write all night to create six new plays. On Monday, March 26, the directors arrive at the theater in the morning to select their play. The actors arrive, find out their roles and rehearsals begin. Following a short technical run-through in the afternoon, the curtain rises at 8 p.m. for an evening of unique, theatrical performances.

THE 24 HOURS PLAYS is non-profit production based in New York City that raises millions of dollar for charities worldwide for more than 20 years. Mark Armstrong, executive director, is a UMD alum and scholarship recipient who believes that this support was critical to his career in professional theater.

Proceeds from THE 24 HOUR PLAYS support Spotlight Education, the Trust's flagship education program that engages Minnesota high schools in the performing arts, and scholarships for students enrolled in the UMD Theatre program.

The Minneapolis performance of The 24 Hour Plays is made possible by Hilton Hotels, United Properties and Sherman Associates.

Hennepin Theatre Trust is a nonprofit organization that creates positive change through the arts by bringing together people, businesses and organizations in WeDo, the West Downtown MPLS Cultural District, to create and enjoy cultural experiences.

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