News DIRECT From THE OLD VIC We're looking for the most fearless, talented, original, actors, writers, directors and producers to take on the ultimate theatrical challenge: The 24 Hour Plays: Old Vic New Voices If you're 18 -25 and feel ready to launch yourself into the world of professional theatre, then we want to hear from you. Following rigorous auditions and workshops successful applicants will have just 24 hours to prove their talent for creating engaging, edgy theatre. The results will be seen by 1,000 industry professionals, family and friends. This riveting event has been wowing audiences for the last three years and has launched over 150 careers with many of them securing agents, West End contracts, TV roles and commissions. Previous participants include actors Charity Wakefield (actor: Sense and Sensibility, BBC), Imogen Kinchin (producer: Spring Awakening, Lyric/West End), Abigail Graham (Trainee resident director, Chichester Festival Theatre), Duncan MacMillan (writer: Monster, Royal Exchange Manchester) Davide Ferretti (actor: Enjoy, Gielgud) Geoff Breton (actor: Anne Frank, BBC), Chantelle Staynings, Tara Wilkinson and Charlie Sutton (producers: Saturday Night, Jermyn Street Theatre/West End) and Danny Lee Wynter (actor: Joe's Palace and Capturing Mary, Poliakoff) How to apply First decide if you class yourself as an ACTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER OR DIRECTOR. Once you have decided you will need to register on: ideastap.com Complete the appropriate application form making sure you attach a photograph of yourself regardless of your discipline. ALL sections must be completed and incomplete sections will mean your application not being logged. Please note we can only accept ELECTRONIC applications not paper ones. Your application will then be judged by an industry panel of theatre professionals. If you application is deemed strong enough then you will be invited to an audition at The Old Vic and if you get through that stage you will be invited to take part in the 24 Hour Plays: Old Vic New Voices on 25 and 26 July 2009. How it works The final company of 51 (Made up of 30 actors, 7 writers, 7 producers and 7 directors) create seven brand new plays in just 24 hours and this is how we do it. Saturday evening/early morning 10.00pm: All 51 arrive at The Old Vic for introductions and drinks 11.00pm: The 7 playwrights are whisked away to a secret location along with 3 of the producers 11.30pm to 6.00am: 7 brand new plays are written, playwrights go to bed for a couple of hours Sunday morning 6.00am to 7.00am: All 7 scripts are delivered and photocopied 7.30am: Directors arrive and scripts are allocated by the producers 8.30am: Actors arrive, and are allocated parts a director, a producer and rehearsal space 9.30am-6.30pm: Plays are rehearsed and teched 7.00pm: House opens..