WWSS5 - The Basics

WWSS is Phare Play Productions' immensely successful 21 hour play festival. It's generally regarded as a great time had by everybody and I know that Blake and I, as producers, have loved using it as a fun way to get to know lots of new actors, writers and directors.

Here's how it works:

SEVEN CAFFEINATED WRITERS: Bill Bria, Emily Ehlinger, Duncan Pflaster, Ben Plopper, Zach Rothman-Hicks, Oliver Thrun and Michael Weems

Friday, March 27th: They meet at the Beckmann theatre in midtown at 10PM to get their themes, script guidelines and the headshots/resumes for the actors they have to write a play for. They go stock up on coffee/Red Bull and write all night and come back at 10 AM on Saturday morning with six copies of their completed scripts ready to go. There they meet up with -

SEVEN IMMENSELY CREATIVE DIRECTORS: Kelly Barrett, Chris Bell, Nina Capone, Paul Falcetta, Randa Karambelas, Brooklyn Scalzo and Andy Travis

Who also show up at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 28th at the Beckmann theatre. They are then handed a script and given about 30 - 45 minutes to caucus with their writer. Then about 11:00AM, the writers go home to sleep and the directors meet up with their -

THIRTY BRAVE AND ENERGIZED ACTORS:Donella Alanwick, Melisa Breiner-Sanders, Micah Chartrand, Catherine Corbett, Chris Cramer, Emily Evans, Erin Fehr, Alec Head, Graeme Humphrey, Ben Klier, Jeff Kroh, Andrew Lazaroff, Derrick Marshall, Elizabeth May, Michael McKeogh, Lauren Meley, Alisha Norris, Kate O'Phalen, Blaine Pennington, Annie Pesch, Cara Picone, Gillian Riley, Eddie Rodriguez, Alicia St. Louis, Dani Suder, Alexia Terrell, Adia Tucker, Steve Unwin, Jere Williams and Danny Wiseman

Who then go out into the city with their directors and casts to rehearse for a good five hours or so. Just enough time for the actors to be fully blocked and off book.

Then there are two shows - one at 7PM and one at 9:30PM that very evening. There is also an audience vote for fun awards like Hottest Cast and Best Use of Prop. Come be a part of the fun!

It's at the Beckmann Theatre at 314 West 54th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Tickets are $15, but only $12 with a student ID or if you're a PP-er.