Official Rules to the 24 hour Musical Challenge.
Hi folks we are gearing up for another Break Legs or Die Trying 24 hour Musical Challenge and we are holding an open call for directors, musical accompanist, and actors to take the challenge.
ON THE SPOT IMPROV PRESENTS:
Break Legs or Die Trying: 24 Hour Musical Challenge Official rules to the 24 Hour Musical Challenge
1.) Break Legs Or Die Trying: The 24 Hour Play Challenge starts on Friday (June 19) at 6:00 pm and ends Saturday (June 20) at 6:00 pm.
2.) You will be asked to write, direct, produce, and perform a short one act play. Roughly 10 to 15 minutes and but no longer than 15 Minutes.
3.) The book (the script) must be original and must incorporate a prop that will be assigned to you.
4.) There is a mandatory kick off that everyone must attend on Friday 6:00 pm at the ARTS at Marks Garage. Here is where you will receive your prop and instructions and meet actors who want to take the challenge but do not have a team. All directors must be able to incorporate these actors into their musical. The kickoff will only be a 30 minutes long. And you’ll be able to leave shortly after to create your musical or if your team and your accompanist are with you, you may use the any available space at the ARTS to start. Keep in mind that other groups may be sharing the space with you.
5.) Your prop must be feature; in other word it must be used in your script and not a set decoration.
6.) Directors may assemble their own teams and it may be best to use their own Musical accompaniment however directors must be able to incorporate actors who want to participate in the challenge but are not currently on a team.
7.) Your musical must be ready to perform by the start time of the showcase Saturday (March 14)8:00 pm
8.) Call time for the 24 hour musical showcase is Saturday (March 14) 6:00 pm Saturday at the ARTS at marks Garage:
9.) Each group will receive 20 minutes of tech time. And only 20 minutes. First come, first serve.
10.) Script in hand is allowed during performance if you need it. No Shame. However its really impressive to be off book
11.) The 24 Hour Pay challenge does not provide teams with rehearsal space or time: so make sure you have a place to meet and rehearse.
1.) Call time is Saturday (June 20) 6:00 pm at the ARTS at Marks Garage.
2.) Each group will receive 20 minutes of tech time: and only 20 minutes. First come - first serve. Make sure you use your tech time wisely. (IT IS BEST NOT to do a run through of your musical during tech time; Instead go cue to cue .)
3.) There will be a tech crew to help you set up and strike your set. If you do not have a tech person to run lights one will be provided for you.
4.) There are no special lights other than a general wash and the colored strip lights.
5.) All groups have access to 3 stage boxes, dime tables and chairs.
6.) Feel free to add sets pieces, or make a collapsible set. If you have a collapsible set make sure it easy to set up, easy to strike, and easy to store back stage.
Encouragement and helpful hints:
Creating a musical and then performing it in 24 hours seems like a daunting task; but it can be done. As we want everyone to produce a brand new work and not quit. Here are some things that may help you along.
1.) Keep it simple – an easy story premise and some down to earth characters are much easier to write for then high concept works.
2.) Avoid set changes. Keeping the set the same throughout the piece will allow you to keep it easy. Writing your play around one location helps as well
3.) It’s ok to secure your cast beforehand. In fact we recommend it. If you know actors and tech people who are willing to work with you, it’s perfectly fine to book them now.
4.) It’s OK to secure a your rehearsal spaces beforehand In fact we recommend it.
5.) Keep your cast small – 5 people max – the smaller the cast the easier you’ll be able to work out the details
6.) Use your cast – Allow them to help create your play by asking for suggestions and giving feedback. Give them a job such has make set pieces or prop, or maybe have them get or make a costumes, etc… collaboration Is the key.
7.) Have fun and try not to Stress out – If you lucky it may be perfect, but if it’s not don’t worrier about it. In fact it’s perfectly OK to make mistakes on stage. Keep in mind you are allowed to have script in hand.
Day 1 Friday 6:00 pm – THE KICKOFF
Writers/Directors/ Actors arrive at the ARTS at Marks Garage to meet each other and to go over the available props. During this time Writers/Directors are inspired
Friday 6:15 pm – PROPS ARE PICKED:
Writers/Directors draw number to see who get first pick at the Props. After the props have been chosen the writer/directors can negotiate trades.
Writers / Directors receive final instructions and are let go to make their play – from this point on Writers /Directors will work with their cast to create an original work. Here are some ** suggestions on using your time:
**Friday 7:00 pm to 8:00 – CHOOSE YOUR PREMISE AND OUTLINE YOUR STORY
Use this time to brainstorm and idea for your story. Hopefully you’ve already picked out your cast and have asked them to join you in the brainstorming process. Once you picked a premise or a basic plot start making a short outline of the script. Make sure it has a beginning middle and end. The easiest way to create a story is to identify the hero or protagonist. Create and obstacle for that character and have he or she come to a resolutions. You don’t need to write the script yet just have the basic story down.
**Friday 8:00 pm to 11:00 – START WORKING ON YOUR SCRIPT
Use this time to Work on your dialog as a group. I find improvising lines help to get the script writing started. Also here’s a good time to organize your costumes and props.
**Friday 11:00 pm – GET SOME REST OR DON’T
**Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm MEET UP WITH YOUR CAST
Meet with your cast and start to finalize things by going over the script.
**Saturday 2:00 – 3:00 TAKE A BREAK
**Saturday 3:00 – 5:00 RUN THROUGH YOUR PLAY OVER AND OVER
Saturday 6:00 pm – TECH REHEARSAL:
Everyone Checks in and goes over tech. only 20 minutes first come first serve.
Saturday 8:00 pm - SHOWTIME
