The Department of Theater has wrapped up auditions for their charity event, the 24 Hour Musical.
Auditions for the musical took place Sunday in the Williams Performing Arts Center, and all students were welcome to try out. Also, students unable to sing were able to audition with a 60-second monologue in place of prepared music.
“An event like this is inspirational as students go beyond what they may think they are capable of doing and learn to work together even when everyone is exhausted,” said Linda Kemp, administrative coordinator for the theatre department.
The 24 Hour Musical is organized by student leaders from Alpha Psi Omega and functions as a charity event to raise funds for the organization, Living Water International. Before the show goes on, it needs to go through the same process as most other musicals.
The event coordinators and team leaders have to secure rights to material, create promotional opportunities and secure performance space, but they do not have as much time or resources as regular shows performed at ACU. The president of Alpha Psi Omega, Laura Harris, said this tradition is challenging for students but it is an exciting opportunity.
“The 24 Hour Musical is the ultimate musical theatre challenge in which a top secret musical is rehearsed, teched and performed in only 24 hours,” Harris, a junior theater education major from Little Rock Arkansas, said.
The cast is not made aware of the shows they are in until 24 hours in advance. Because of this, there is limited help they can offer to the directors. Harris is an event coordinator and a director for the show. She plans the weekly meetings and ensures the team involved with this show stay focused on having the play ready for January.
While the play has one primary director, FaithAnn Jones, junior directing and theatre education major from Trophy Club, there will actually be four directors cooperating on this project. Harris said this is normal for plays and it helps keep tasks under control.
“Right now, our meetings include anything from set design, to creating a promo video, or costumes, and even cast T-shirts,” Harris said. “We are right on schedule, but we still have a lot of work to do before Jan. 17.”
Kemp, who will be coordinating with the students and the department in finishing this project, said the 24 Hour Musical requires a lot of work and dedication from the students involved.
“This activity is part of what makes APO a great organization,” Kemp said. “They give their time and energy to raise money for clean water for people who otherwise would have none.”
The show will be on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. in Fulks Theatre in the Williams Performing Arts Center. Students who are interested in helping but can not be part of the cast, can donate food to feed the cast on the day of the show by contacting lah12a@acu.edu.
