The Old Vic New Voices 24 Hour Plays is now taking applications for this year’s 24 hour challenge. Now in its sixth year, The 24 Hour Plays gives 50 young actors, writers, directors and producers, aged between 18 and 25, the opportunity to prove their skills on the Old Vic Theatre’s stage in front of an audience of 1,000. Scary? Not until you discover that the name of this scheme relates directly to the challenge, where the plays are written, directed, produced and then performed within 24 hours. Yes, 24 hours.

It’s not for the faint hearted, but the experience is worth it; recent participants include actor Charlotte Mills, now playing in Jerusalem both in the West End and Broadway; director Simon Evans, Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse; and producer Amy Letman who is currently the Associate Producer at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

This years applications are being co-ordinated by the supporter IdeasTap, but A Younger Theatre has been assured that the applications will be smaller (hurrah for less paperwork!) but the first round process will be slightly longer (boo for auditions).

The 24 Hour Plays will culminate in a series of performances on Sunday 23 October 2011. Want to have the opportunity to be part of this one-of-a-kind scheme? APPLY via the IdeasTap website.

KEY DATES:

Applications:  Open Monday 1 August and close Friday 19 August at 5.00pm.

First Round Actor Auditions:
Wk 1 – Monday 5 – Friday 9 September
Wk 2 – Monday 12 – Friday 16 September
(Actors will be asked to book a slot on one of the audition days).

Second Round All Discipline Audition Weekend:
Saturday 24 OR Sunday 25 September 2011

Actual Event:
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 October 2011

Does it tickle your crazy taste buds? APPLY via the IdeasTap website. You can read what we thought of The 24 Hour Plays last year by reading our review here.