The second annual show is comprised of separately written, unrelated plays running from one minute to 25 minutes. The only relationship among the vignettes is that they're written by local authors. The actors are local people, and all stories are or could be about the state line area.
The group is looking for amateur or professional writers to write plays for free.
But there are a couple of "rules." The vignette must be suitable for a general audience. (If the mother of a 10-year-old would be embarrassed for her child to see the play, it doesn't meet the criterion). It must be original and the vignette must tell a story, and have a beginning and end. Scripts can be comedic, nostalgic, historical, futuristic, scary, oratory, narration, monologue and poetry. It must require very little setting or props. Set changes must be extremely quick in order to accommodate the following sketch. Finally, scripts must pertain to the state line area.
There will be an in informational meeting in the near future for those interested in participating. Final scripts will be due in early December.
The show will play in various community theaters/performing arts forums throughout the area during the last two weeks of March. Any venue hosting performing arts can request the show for its lineup of acts.
There is a fee of $500 per performance to defray the costs of the show, costumes, lights, sound, props, sets, and transportation. Each venue is responsible for its own marketing and ticket sales.
All sales above $500 serve as a fund raiser for the hosting organization. Tickets are $15 at each venue. All shows begin at 7:30 PM. Last year, participating venues included Winneshiek Playhouse (Freeport), Plum River Playhouse (Stockton), Back Street Players (Hanover), Monroe Arts Center, and Turner Hall (Galena).
Anyone who wants to direct one of the plays should notify the group. Separate vignettes initially will be directed/ rehearsed locally, and combined for full production rehearsal two weeks prior to the show. Rehearsals begin in mid-late January. Scripts will be distributed in December.
For more information, contact John Buford (815) 541-6900; or e-mail jcbuford@aol.com.