From overnight scriptwriting to evening performances, PlayFest challenges students to create, rehearse and stage original productions in less than 24 hours.
The student-led event begins with writers completing scripts overnight. Directors review and select pieces in the morning, hold auditions and cast performers, then spend the day rehearsing and preparing technical elements before the show’s debut that evening.
“It’s a student-led show created in a day,” junior director Andy Dailey said. “A group of student writers write shows overnight, and the next day it gets sent to the directors, and by 7 p.m. that night we have eight new plays that we put on.”
This year marks Dailey’s first time directing after previously participating as both an actor and writer. Directors collaborate to choose scripts, conduct auditions and integrate sound and lighting cues before the final performance.
“We spend the day rehearsing, and directors also have to write in the sound and light cues for tech later that day,” Dailey said.
Even with the fast-paced schedule, junior actor Emma Filley said the experience pays off, as it offers the chance to connect with new people and build skills.
“Yes, it can be hard learning a play in a few hours, but you have help from everyone around you to learn your lines,” Filley said.
Despite the time pressure, Filley described the experience as rewarding and an opportunity to meet new people while developing new skills.
“It is always a fun experience, you get to meet new people and learn new things as the day goes on,” Filley said.
Filley performed in a comedic play centered on an online marketplace purchase gone wrong. Because she had not auditioned for the production beforehand, she initially felt uncertain about the material.
“My first look was that I was confused with the play at first. Because I hadn’t auditioned yet,” Filley said. “In the end it went pretty OK.”
When it comes to memorizing lines on a deadline, Filley leans on her castemates and jots the tricky parts down.
“Some tricks I do to remember lines are to run through lines with someone else and go until I can’t remember,” she said. “If I can’t remember, I will write the line down and go over it later.”
Unexpected moments can occur during live performances. In one show, a cast member moved to the wrong side of the stage, requiring Filley to adjust her positioning to maintain continuity.
“At the moment it was a little confusing,” she said, “but in the end it turned out smoothly.”
Over time, PlayFest has expanded in participation and impact. Dailey said the event continues to strengthen connections within the theater department and encourages students to step into new roles.
“PlayFest is such a magical thing, because it’s the thing that every year none of the students want to give up,” Dailey said. “It just brings everyone together.”
