After a long 24 hours of coordinating, writing scripts in Denny’s, casting actors and directing, the Newbury Park High School [NPHS] theater department lit up the stage in the Performing Arts Center on May 2, for the annual 24 Hour Theater event. Westlake and Thousand Oaks High Schools joined NPHS in performing a series of student-run acts inspired by prompts such as “include a Shakespeare trope” or “an irrational fear becomes rational”, each performance with a unique, memorable interpretation.
Seen in mouse ears, a voluminous green skirt and an emblemed purple top, Gloria Gould, sophomore, played Chuck-E-Cheese during her 24 Hour act. Gould used rhythms and patterns to memorize her lines in a rush, sharing her techniques with others in the group.
“I would definitely encourage anyone to try 24 hour theater, because it’s very low pressure, it’s very low commitment,” Gould said. “You just go there for a day, and you do the performance, and that’s it. So it helps you figure out what you want to do, what roles you’re interested in, in the theater community.”
For Justin Bongiorno, senior, the writing process of his comedic scene “Mighty Mike” began at 9 p.m. at Denny’s and lasted until 5 a.m. Although not usually a part of the theater scene, Bongiorno was inspired to write for 24 Hour after participating in theater’s One Acts.
“24 Hour because it really gets [your] creative juices flying…It’s an old creation rather than just watching and consuming. It’s also a really fun way to spend your Friday night with your friends,” Bongiorno said.
While the day may have been long, the memories from it will last even longer for Bongiorno.
“My favorite part of 24 Hour Theater was watching our show come to life at the very end of the day, especially after being awake for over 24 hours and writing until seven in the morning. It was just very fulfilling to watch our plan at the end, and it actually turned out pretty funny [and] successful,” Bongiorno said.
In order for the show to run smoothly, the chaos behind the scenes rested on the back of Camden Aschbrenner, junior and NP coordinator for 24 Hour. After shadowing the previous coordinator during the fall 24 Hour, Aschbrenner took on the responsibilities of overseeing all aspects of the production.
“I really enjoy project managing and getting the opportunity to be involved in every part of the process [to] send the writers on the way, get the directors set up with their casts and see the actors learn their lines,” Aschbrenner said.
Filling a critical role, Aschbrenner was at school by 8 p.m. when the writers first arrived on Friday and back at 5 a.m. when the writers came in with their scripts. The rest of the day, Aschbrenner was busy juggling commitments and managing the full-day process.
“I was there at 7 a.m. when casting started, and then I had to leave for the SAT at 8 a.m.,” Aschbrenner said. “And then I had to break off for an hour to go to dance.”
The lack of sleep and chaotic schedule were ultimately rewarding for Aschbrenner, who was able to step back and watch the show come to life when the curtain finally rose.
“I was really proud of everyone, the directors and the cast,” Aschbrenner said. “A little confused as always, because the scripts are so bizarre, and the actors’ interpretations as well.”
From the stressful environment of creating an act in a day, students develop skills that they can take with them outside of the PAC.
“It’s only one day, so you gotta figure out how to get ready to be in those situations where you’re under pressure,” Gould said. “You have to adapt to something new.”