"Theatre In A Day" Casting Announced

The State Theatre, in conjunction with Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park, is seeking actors, writers, and directors of all ages, types, and experience for THEATER IN A DAY, a unique and challenging theatrical experience that is part of its February festival, Hub City Carnivale.

The event, THEATER IN A DAY, teams theatrical writers, directors, and actors to create six original 10-minute plays and present them to an audience within the space of 24 hours. THEATER IN A DAY begins at 8pm, Saturday, February 10, and culminates with an 8pm performance Sunday, February 11 at the State Theatre.

"THEATER IN A DAY exemplifies 'Imagination at Play,' the theme of the Hub City Carnivale, our winter festival of freewheeling fun, art and performances and activities for children from 1- 100," said Wesley O. Brustad, State Theatre President and CEO. "It's new to the State Theatre and we look forward to a creative and spirited competition."

THEATER IN A DAY producers, Gary P. Cohen, Producing Director of Plays-in-the-Park, and Michelle Massa, are looking for six directors and writers, and actors of all ages, types, and experiences to cast.

"When Wes Brustad asked me to join the State Theatre in helming this unique project, I jumped at the opportunity," declared Cohen. "New Jersey has a huge resource of community theaters and theater schools, full of talented writers, directors, and actors, and THEATER IN A DAY is a great vehicle for joining together and stretching that talent."

Calling All Actors

Interested actors can drop off their photos and resumes at the State Theatre's administrative offices at 11 Livingston Avenue or email them to gary@playsinthepark.com. before February 5. Actors will need to be available from 8am, Saturday, February 10 until 9 or 10pm, Sunday, February 11. They must provide their own transportation to and from Theater Row in New Brunswick and can either brown-bag or buy lunch nearby. Dinner will be provided on Sunday. Actors are requested to wear casual black clothing.

Writers and Directors Also Needed

Six directors and six writers are needed. Each writer and/or director should apply with a corresponding partner. Writers and directors should present their credentials to Gary Cohen via e-mail before February 5 at gary@playsinthepark.com. The first six qualified applicants will be chosen. They will need to be available at 8pm, February 10, at the State Theatre administrative offices to choose their actors (based on photos and resumes), learn the themes of their plays, and receive a prop that they must incorporate into their script. They will then go home to write, returning to the State Theatre at 8am Sunday, February 11, to begin rehearsals. The performance before an audience will be at 8pm that evening.

Creators who have worked together in the past can best meet the challenge of creating a script in eight hours and getting it on its feet the next day. Additionally, they will want to work Saturday evening at one or another's home.

The producers recognize it is possible for an individual to be both writer and director, although partnering might provide the best creative canvas.

Each writer/director team will be assigned a theme, handed a prop, and will choose from a complement of actors-but from there, imagination rules. A panel of theater professionals will select Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Script, and Best Director and one of the shows will be awarded Best Production based on votes from the audience.

For more information about THEATER IN A DAY and February's Hub City Carnivale, visit www.StateTheatreNJ.org.

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