THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS Return With LA Expansion

At its core, THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS is much more than a single evening of theatrical revelry. It’s a professional development programme that sets out to fuel the next generation of actors, playwrights, directors, and other theatre practitioners. If you’ve ever felt that conventional pathways into the performing arts are locked behind labyrinthine casting calls and nepotism, this initiative offers an alternative. It’s open to applicants who meet an early-career threshold, meaning it actively seeks out fresh talent, hungry for challenge and growth.

What makes these plays a spectacle worth witnessing (and what might make you consider applying if you’re an artist yourself) is the collaborative crucible at its heart. Participants spend a handful of days in master classes, workshops, and panel discussions before leaping into the famed 24-hour process: brand-new short plays are conceived, written, rehearsed, and staged all within one manic day. The intensity would make a lesser creative quail, but for those who thrive under pressure, it’s a playground of unbridled invention.

One might question whether such constraints can truly generate work of quality. Yet the project’s track record speaks volumes. Established in 2007, THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS has featured breakout talents and garnered the attention of luminaries in the theatre world. Over the years, the likes of Annie Baker, Martyna Majok, David Lindsay-Abaire, Leigh Silverman, and Thomas Kail have taken part in workshops, panels, and conversations. While the participants are early in their careers, the mentors guiding them are often at the apex of the theatre scene. That, in itself, is reason enough to pay attention.

An Extraordinary Gathering In New York

The 2026 season might be in the headlines, but the immediate excitement revolves around the upcoming edition in New York. Applications are currently open (through 14 March) for the session that will take place from 9 to 13 July at Pace University’s Lower Manhattan campus. The concluding performance is set for Classic Stage Company’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater, a space well-loved by aficionados for its intimacy and reverence for dynamic, cutting-edge theatre. The event is produced in partnership with Pace University’s Sands College of the Performing Arts—an alliance that began in 2023—and it has borne fruit in the form of robust community engagement and a streamlined process for housing and mentoring the cohort.

For that final night, audiences gather to see what these newly forged teams can accomplish under time constraints. Everyone—actors, playwrights, directors, stage managers—commits to delivering a finished production. It’s akin to running a theatrical marathon, except at the finishing line you also get the applause (hopefully rapturous) of an audience. Perhaps the most miraculous aspect is how cohesive the plays can feel, despite their hurried gestation. Data from previous years suggests that the unpredictability of the process fosters a heightened sense of focus and camaraderie. After all, if you’re writing a scene at three in the morning, you learn very quickly how to trust your collaborators.

A Surprise Expansion To The West Coast

Though the Nationals have always drawn participants from across the United States, this is the first time the programme will plant its flag on the West Coast. As Jake Beckhard and Serena Berman, who co-lead the initiative, note in a joint statement: “The Nationals programme has always been, well, national! We’ve served early-career artists from all over the country by gathering them annually in New York City. With this year’s expansion, we’re truly living up to our name.” The Los Angeles edition, scheduled for January 2026, promises to bring the same brand of rigorous workshops and 24-hour creative marathons—only with more palm trees and perhaps a slightly different energy that LA’s entertainment industry fosters.

This expansion will be of particular interest to emerging theatre practitioners who call the West Coast home. Travel costs and scheduling can be barriers for many artists, so the chance to access the programme closer to home could have a seismic impact on who can participate. Applications for the LA session will open this summer, giving a fresh cohort the opportunity to sign up for what might just be the most exhilarating creative week of their nascent careers.

The Power Of Peer Networking

One aspect that often gets overlooked is how THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS fosters professional relationships that can last a lifetime. Theatre is, at its best, a collaborative art. A single production might bring together a composer, a dramaturg, multiple actors, a scenic designer, and more—and that’s just the short list. By working under intense deadlines, participants develop a sense of trust and mutual respect that’s rare to find in everyday rehearsal schedules. They see each other’s vulnerabilities (imagine trying to memorise lines in mere hours), celebrate each other’s creative sparks (the joy of a newly minted scene that just “works”), and endure the same near-sleepless nights.

For the longest time, it’s been an open secret that networking can be as important as raw talent when making one’s way in theatre. Rather than relying on awkward post-show drinks or ephemeral social media groups, THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS cements friendships and professional ties through the shared crucible of creation. If you’re an emerging artist hoping to leapfrog the usual waiting game, this programme can be a catalyst.

The Legacy Of Big Names

When you learn that previous contributors have included Jesse Eisenberg, Claire Danes, and Aasif Mandvi, it’s tempting to focus on the star factor. Yes, it’s undeniably exciting to pick up tips from a household name or glean insights from a Tony-winning playwright. But the real value of these cameo appearances lies in their readiness to share honest, practical wisdom about sustaining a career in the arts. Show business is notorious for burnout and heartbreak; hearing from people who’ve navigated those waters can be an invaluable boost.

Still, the cameo appearances aren’t just about high-profile names handing down advice from on high. They often engage directly in Q&A sessions and breakout conversations, ensuring that emerging artists can ask specific questions about navigating auditions, building portfolios, or developing new writing. The combination of these intimate dialogues with the hands-on experience of crafting a play in a day results in a potent mix that thoroughly readies participants for the real world of theatre.

Confidence-Building

One angle that rarely gets discussed is how the 24-hour deadline effectively eliminates second-guessing and perfectionism. In a typical rehearsal process, you might agonise for weeks over a single line reading or fuss with rewrites ad infinitum. Here, you simply don’t have the luxury. That forced immediacy often leads to surprisingly bold choices—both in writing and performance. Participants realise they can be more decisive and resourceful than they ever imagined. This confidence, once awakened, tends to linger long after the final curtain call. I’ve met multiple alumni of the programme who credit it with helping them break free of creative block and approach their subsequent projects with renewed daring.

Indeed, such intangible gains can outweigh even the more tangible benefits (like networking or exposure). In an industry that constantly tests your mettle—where auditions might yield rejection after rejection—carrying within you the memory of producing a fully staged play overnight can serve as an emotional lifeboat. You understand that, no matter how daunting the challenge, you’ve tackled something monumental before and can do it again.

Your Invitation To Leap

In a performing arts world teeming with open calls and large conferences, THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS stands apart as a crucible of raw creativity. It demands a certain bravery, of course. You have to be willing to bare your soul at 2am, collaborate with people you’ve barely met, and present that work to a paying audience the next day. But for those who embrace that challenge, the rewards—from forging lifelong industry bonds to unlocking a new level of self-assuredness—are immeasurable.

With applications open until 14 March for the New York session and an upcoming Los Angeles edition on the horizon, this might just be the perfect moment to step forward. Whether you’re an ambitious playwright itching to see your words come to life under extreme conditions, an actor craving a more daring performance environment, or a director keen on shaping a show in record time, THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: NATIONALS welcomes your energy, drive, and audacity. After all, theatre has always been an art of fleeting moments, but here—within 24 intense hours—those moments could define the course of your artistic future.