What can you make within 24 hours? You could make 48 different Jamie Oliver 30-minute recipes. You could make an oversized blanket for winter. Or how about learning the latest TikTok dance trend?
I can guarantee that if you asked the general population that question, “What can you make within 24 hours?”, a play wouldn’t be one of the answers. But for 10 years, this daring idea has been part of WA Youth Theatre Company’s annual program.
A cohort of emerging writers, aged 15–26, are given 12 hours to write 10-minute plays under the guidance of experienced dramaturgs. A few weeks later, six winning scripts are handed over to six professional directors, ready to bring these plays to life with their casts within another 12-hour time block, all in preparation for an audience at the end of that window.
It’s an exciting and innovative program that the company’s Artistic Director, Amelia Burke, participated in during her days as an early career artist. I spoke with Amelia about 10 years of the 24-hour Play Generator, alongside one of this year’s cast members, Bridie King, who is currently studying Classical Voice at WAAPA.
Amelia, could you take us back to when you participated in the 24-hour play generator as an emerging artist? What was that experience like, and how did you feel going into it?
When I was a youth member at WAYTCo, I participated in the 24 Hour Play Generator as an Assistant Director. My role was to support the professional director with their vision for the play and to help the actors run lines. Going into the event, I had no idea how it would all come together and doubted it was possible. My experience on the day was a total whirlwind; things moved quickly, but I had a smile on my face the whole time (and all the plays did in fact come together!).
What new skills or perspectives did you come away with following the play generator?
The 24 Hour Play Generator is a great way to practice trusting and acting on your creative instincts. There is no time to doubt yourself, so you need to back yourself and your team.
WAYTco’s 24-Hour Play Generator
Bridie, what are you looking forward to, and what are you hoping to get out of the 24-hour play generator?
The day is crazy. Being thrown into a throng of creativity is invigorating. My favourite part is reading the script for the first time, the endless reactive ideas and visions from your scene partners.
Can you tell us about your previous experience with the 24-hour play generator? What surprised you most about the process?
This is my fourth year and every time I have been so surprised about the passion and inventiveness that every person brings. Every idea is welcomed and finds a place on stage, from dancing to the Bluey theme song to brainstorming thoughts a deer would have.
WAYTco’s 24-Hour Play Generator
Amelia, it sounds like quite a daunting task, writing and developing a play within such a short window of time. What advice would you give to the young artists undergoing this process?
My advice is to simply try and enjoy the ride! Focusing on having a sense of play and fun means that the nerves won’t take hold and freeze you up. It’s also important to lean on your team members; you are all in it together!
Bridie, what’s your approach to preparation?
I think being open to anything that can come out, and pacing yourself during the day. The best thing that you can do is be as whimsy as possible and bring good vibes.
WAYTco’s 24-Hour Play Generator
A question to you both, why is it important that opportunities like this exist for emerging artists?
Bridie: As someone who has done this from when I was a child to now adult, my confidence has been increased so much from this experience. Being able to voice my craziest ideas and learning on the fly has built up my confidence, and that is so important for young artists. The validation that your ideas are valuable and can be heard is so powerful.
Amelia: This event allows 70 young people to be involved across writing, performing and directing roles. Having this number of opportunities available means that emerging artists can try their hand at different roles, which is very important when you are starting out. The time intensive process also means that emerging artists get to see their work produced and performed on the main stage at Subiaco Art Centre, an experience that would otherwise take years to line up!
You can watch the results of the 24-hour Play Generator on May 30 at Subiaco Arts Centre.