PORT ANGELES — After director-actor-musician John Manno staged the town’s first 24-Hour Theater Project in December, people hounded him.
“When are you going to have the next one?” they demanded.
These were stage actors and writers who had either been in the Dec. 28-29 project, a play titled “Australia,” or who missed out for some reason.
So Manno — and fellow thespian Nikkole Adams — are at it again.
Saturday performance
Another 24-Hour Theater Project will start at 8 p.m. Friday and culminate in a performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, all at Studio Bob, 118½ E. Front St.
The show will be open to the public for a suggested donation of $5 to $10.
Adams, who served as a writer and actor in the December show, “will act as our fearless leader,” Manno said.
With great enthusiasm, he urges theater lovers — and newcomers to the stage — to partake in the 24-hour experiment.
“It’s completely outside of everybody’s normal experience,” he promised.
Rehearse Friday
In a 24-hour theater production, all community members are invited to show up at 8 p.m. Friday and spend the night and day constructing and rehearsing a two-hour play.
The following evening, they stage the production for the public.
“I love working on intense projects, especially anything that brings the artistic community together,” actor Sean Peck-Collier said of the 24-hour theater process.
“We’d love to have you. You’ll make a bunch of new friends,” added Manno, who moved to Port Angeles in 2010 and has since plunged headlong into the theater community here.
December’s 24-Hour Theater Project went “alarmingly well,” Manno said.
About 20 thespians put together the play, which Manno said was “totally a comedy, goofy and surreal.”
When asked what “Australia” was about, he replied: “You had to be there.”
All-nighter
So does everyone have to stay up all night in this production?
“Yep,” Manno replied. On Saturday, though, there is naptime from 5 a.m. until 8 a.m. and a break for a shower and lunch from noon until 3 p.m.
Those who want to learn more before leaping are encouraged to contact Manno at 360-670-2067 or johnmanno@yahoo.com.
As for the performance of the yet-to-be-created play, Manno again invites the public to taste a new thing.
“Come see something totally zany and off-the-wall,” he said.
“Take a walk on the wild side.”
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
