Once again, Bare Bodkin, the Tufts student theater group that performs student-written works, is warming up for 24 hours of intensely creative theater. This Friday at 8 p.m., teams of students will be challenged to write, rehearse and perform a sitcom-length, 22-minute show in just 24 hours.
The format of the 24 Hour Theater Festival is the same as in previous years. Students who have signed up for the Festival are divided into three groups, which are chosen in an attempt evenly distribute the participants in terms of theater experience and age.
All the requirements for the students' shows are decided beforehand by the Bare Bodkin board members.
Although generally few in number, these requirements can range from a mandatory musical number to specific props or costumes that must be used in each play.
The role of the board doesn't end there. Immediately before the festival, each board member writes a phrase of their choice on a piece of paper, which is then thrown into a hat.
One of the competing students then draws a line at random. All plays must start with this phrase.
Outside of these restrictions, students are given free reign. From 8 p.m. on Friday, when the teams are decided and the beginning line is chosen, until 8 p.m. on Saturday, when the shows are performed, the students work together to create their play.
The board judges the plays after they're performed, using criteria ranging from awkward moments to use of props to the musical number. These criteria aren't revealed to contestants until the award ceremony, where every participant is presented with a prize.
Despite the same format, the same requirements and the same beginning line, the plays in the 24 Hour Theater Festival are always vastly different from one another.
"It's awesome because the shows turn out different every time," Bare Bodkin technical director and junior Johanna Thelin said. "You never know what's going to happen."
The teams' finished products are especially impressive considering the brutally short amount of time in which they are created.
With only a day to create their show, the creative process for students involved can be more than a little stressful.
"The hardest part was sitting down to actually write the script after coming up with our idea. Beginning was difficult, and then we started running out of things to say towards the middle," sophomore Molly Yarn, a past participant and current secretary for Bare Bodkin, said.
Despite sleep deprivation and occasional creative frustration, the process is ultimately rewarding.
"My favorite part was hanging out with people and talking about insane things," Yarn said. "People come up with the greatest, funniest things at 3 a.m.."
Since students are assigned to teams by the board, some can end up working with complete strangers. Though it sounds awkward, meeting new people and listening to their ideas is part of the fun.
"Last year, I didn't know anyone in my group, and I was completely friends with everyone afterwards. It was a great social experience," Yarn said.
The 24 Hour Theater Festival has special appeal to Tufts students with overly busy schedules who wouldn't otherwise be able to participate in theater.
"It's great because lots of people can be in it even if they have other commitments," Thelin said. "They can't be in shows, but they can do this."
The 24 Hour Theater Festival is one of Bare Bodkin's most popular events, with last semester's performance turnout being especially large.
Bare Bodkin board members are hoping for a repeat experience.
"It's unique and not something you usually get to see," Bare Bodkin artistic director and junior Elizabeth Harelik said. "It's a fun and different theater experience."
Students are welcome to sign up for the Festival on the Aidekman call board. The Festival will start on Friday, with teams performing their plays this Saturday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. in Lane 100. No tickets are required and the show is free.
Tufts student group Traveling Treasure Trunk will be hosting the event and providing improv-style entertainment during intermissions.
Though a reoccurring event on campus, Bare Bodkin's 24 Hour Theater Festival is sure to be innovative, surprising and enjoyable.
