18 Hour amazes audiences
Cars roll into the parking lot of the Performing Arts Center at 3 A.M as participants begin the day with theater. This marks the beginning of 18 hours of writing, acting, directing and technical production.
18 Hour is a theater event that occurs twice a year. Students spend time writing, practicing and curating their performances in preparation for a live performance, during which audiences are entertained with seven creative skits. The most recent rendition of the event, held on Sept. 22, was full of hilarity, sleep depravity, and positive vibes.
Craig Hastings, senior and head coordinator of 18 Hour, has been in love with theater his whole life. Ever since he started in his freshman year, Hastings has participated in nearly everything the theatre department has to offer.
“I think 18 hour is a really important way for people to come out and meet new people and get active in our community. It’s also a really good way for us to show that we have really talented kids here who really like working very hard in this theater,” Hastings said.
Hastings, has done a total of six 18 hours. He was enthusiastic about this year’s production because it would be one of his last.
His love for theatre has encouraged him to continue doing events like this on the side or as a hobby in the future. Hastings believes that he will be able to integrate the skills he has learned in theatre into his career.
“18 hour and theatre, in general, has helped me become a better person, a better friend, a better coordinator. It’s taught me a lot about people, it’s taught me a lot about performing and it’s taught me a lot about authority, and becoming a leader,” Hastings said
Grace Rebbe, sophomore, took on the role as the main character in an 18 hour skit called “The Addiction,” about a girl with a pumpkin spice latte addiction.
“I had to dig into the deepest part of my soul and think about flannel and warm weather during the fall and that lovely Southern California valley girl voice,” Rebbe said.
Rebbe’s role as the pumpkin-spice obsessed teenage girl came naturally for her because she compares her role to her relationship with her two older brothers.
“I really had to get into that little sister part of me that’s really annoying. I have two older brothers so that little sister part comes naturally to me,” Rebbe said.
“Eighteen-hour is really really fun to do because it’s really low commitment and really really easy. It’s really good for people who haven’t done theatre before to just go and experience this really intense thing that’s really fun,” Rebbe said.
Gus Gress, sophomore, will take over as head coordinator next year.
“I’m very excited to coordinate again in the spring and maybe in the future. We’ll see, but I’d love to try doing the whole directing process,” Gress said. He is encouraged by the positive impact the program has on students and community members.
“In this day and age I feel that it’s such an accepting place, and it’s one of the best places to be on the NPHS campus.”
