Lisbon will be hosting the first annual Hwy. 30 Play Festival Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10 at Lisbon Schools.
The festival is looking for involvement from four different schools – Lisbon, Mount Vernon, Cedar Rapids Prairie and North Cedar.
“Since returning from Grad School, I’ve had the chance to work at three of the four schools in question,” Freeman said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we have some of the most talented kids in the state of Iowa along this stretch of the corridor, and frankly, I wanted to give them a chance to work together. Also, I remember as a kid, there was a time when all four schools were in the playoffs for some sport and I thought what a weird and wonderful happenstance — I hope when I grow up, this same happenstance could be fine arts related.”
Freeman said that there is no restriction for the number of writers, actors and personnel to participate from either school, due to the interest from all schools.
“We are looking for all writers, actors and directors,” Freeman said. “We also already have a six person design team, so unlike other 24 hour festivals, we plan to have complete sets, costumes and lights.”
Participants in the festival will have 24 hours starting Friday evening to come up with a play. Writers will have 12 hours to work together to come up with a script beginning Friday evening. Actors will receive the script Saturday morning and have the next 12 hours to learn their lines and staging.
Freeman said he hopes participants will grow as performers, writers, directors and designers.
“But the real goal is collaboration and togetherness,” Freeman said. “We live in an increasingly fractured world, where neighbors are strangers to each other. This project was created to give connection to all students who participate.”
Freeman noted that over the summer as part of Open Arenas production, he directed a show where half the cast was from Prairie and half the cast was from Mount Vernon.
“Since the show, this group has gotten closer and closer- seeing each other’s shows, hanging out, and creating a friendship that couldn’t have occurred without the show,” Freeman said. “That’s the real goal. Friendship in the arts.”
Students from any of the four schools interested in participating have until Sunday, Nov. 27, to sign up by contacting Grant Freeman at [email protected].
The goal is for between five and 10 short plays to be created by participants in the festival.
Members of all communities will have a chance to watch the plays, with admission being $5 for the festival. The show will be Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. Doors open to Lisbon Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.