14 performance troupes compete and perform in the unique short-play theatre festival June 6 & 7
Tickets are available now at IowaTIX.com for $10 - buy today - last year came close to sold out shows both nights!
Also, we are looking for volunteers to help us with box office, ushering, troupe wrangling and the like. Please sign up on our volunteer page.
Jared Curtis has an article about the 711 Theatre Project in this week’s Cityview:
Community theater is what makes a local scene grow and thrive. It also offers provides opportunities for unknowns to get their voices heard, which is actually what the 711 Theatre Project does.
“We’re pushing Iowa natives to the limit in this extreme, nose-to-the-grindstone type of competition. While we give them the set, a line, a prop and a character, the rest is up to their imagination,” said 711 Theatre Project Committee Co-Chair, Amy Williams. “We were amazed at the ingenuity and talent of the 2007 troupes, and we’re expecting big things from the troupes this year. It’s a great way to network with other theater people, and a way to introduce theater ‘virgins’ into the Des Moines scene.”
The 711 Theatre Project is a unique competition where 14 central Iowa theater troupes compete to produce, direct and stage an 11-minute play in only seven days. The theater, the set, the lights, and the sound system are all provided, so the only thing the troupes need is to create the play. There was such a good response last year, the 711 Theatre Company thought it needed another go-around, and there is a cash prize.
“You never know what to expect. It’s caffeinated theater,” said Williams. “We are very proud that nine of the 10 troupes that performed last year have joined us again this year to compete along with five first-time troupes. During the 711 you will see seasoned veterans of the stage as well as the new rising stars from area high schools and colleges.”
The performances are held June 6-7 at 8 p.m. at the Grand View College Viking Theatre, 2811 E. 14th St. Seven troupes will perform each night with the awards ceremony held on June 8, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Vaudeville Mews, 212 4th St. Tickets are only $10 for each night, and the awards ceremony is free.
“The audience votes for one of the prize winners, and their vote helps determine the ‘Best of Show’ winner. They sit on the edge of their seats wondering if there will be a troupe that goes over the time and gets disqualified, or if something will go wrong on stage. It’s the ultimate reality theater,” Williams said. “The audience response is great. Last year was the first year, and we had great crowds who were really responsive to all the troupes. People told us that they really enjoyed themselves and that they loved the idea of the project.”
Visit the Web site at http://www.711theatre.com for more information.
“Personally, I love working with these troupes. They’re not getting much sleep during that week and neither are the committee members, so we’re all a little frazzled,” Williams said. “But I love seeing what they put together in such a short time span, and I love the sense of community that comes from working with so many people with a common purpose.”
The 711 Theatre Project @ Grand View College’s Viking Theatre
2811 E 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50316
Performance Dates: June 6 & 7, 2008 @ 8 pm
$10 tickets at IowaTIX.com or at the box office 1 hour before performance
