Lab Theater preps for Saturday's second 24-hour Playwriting Project

 

Carmen Crussard (far right) won the Critic's Choice award
at last year's event with "Zeus's Erotic Massage Parlor."

The Laboratory Theater of Florida lifts the curtain on its second 24-hour Playwriting Project at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

Playwrights get a theme and a few required lines on Friday night. They have 18 hours to write a ten-minute play - and they won't meet the actors until noon Saturday!

Playwrights include last year's winners Carmen Crussard and Char Loomis as well as Laura Lorusso, Michael Tomes, Taylor Adair Nave and John Fry.

The 24-hour Playwriting Project debuts at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; doors open at 7:30. Tickets ($12) are available at laboratorytheaterflorida.com (buy online here) or at the door. Seating is limited.

Alas, I can't attend this year, (I judged last year's contest), as I'll be a few blocks away watching the convicts in "My Three Angels" at Florida Rep.

Complete Press Release Below:



24-hour Playwriting Project


FORT MYERS, 11/13/13:  The Laboratory Theater of Florida will be showcasing six original plays this December 7th at 8pm. The plays will be the product of a 24-hour writing challenge placed on six regional playwrights. The playwrights will be given a theme, some lines each of them must use in his script, and about 18 hours in which to write a 10-15 minute long one-act play.

Directors and actors will be assigned to the playwrights. Community support comes from published playwrights who will offer guidance once the first draft is complete. “The jeopardy involved for writers and for actors is delightful! The audience can feel the energy sizzle - and of course there are running gags that are woven into each play,” says artistic director Annette Trossbach.

Playwrights will be judged by a panel of professionals as well as by the audience. The theater will award Critics’ Choice and Audience Choice Awards.

The 24-hour Playwriting Project will be presented at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 7th. Tickets are $12 and are available for purchase online at www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com or at the door. Seating is limited and advance ticket purchases are suggested. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m.

The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks and features and challenges local performers of various skill levels. Stay up to date with its news and events on Facebook and Twitter @LabTheaterFL.  For more information, call 239-218-0481. The theater is located at 1634 Woodford Ave. Fort Myers, 33901.


The Playwrights:

Laura Lorusso has been an active member of our local theater community for the past decade. During that time, she's starred in several shows with The Naples Players, toured with a local comedy show, Joey and Maria's Comedy Italian Wedding, and just this fall she wrote and co-directed her first play, Afterlife of the Rich and Famous, with Let's Put On A Show Productions in Naples.

Char Loomis graduated from Marywood University with a Master's degree in Communication Arts. One of her concentrations in her studies was script writing. As mainly a hobby, Char has been writing for several years. Her first public acknowledgement came last year at The Laboratory Theater's first annual 24-hr playwriting showcase.

Michael Tomes has written short stories and plays for most of his adult life. His plays have been critically acclaimed by the Key West Waterfront Playhouse and at the Firehouse Playwriting Contest in LaBelle.

Carmen Crussard has been acting, directing, writing, and teaching for many years. Carmen co-wrote and directed Naked with her theater company, City Scenes. She was also honored with the critic’s choice award at last year’s 24-hour Playwriting Project at The Laboratory Theater of Florida.