A Note from Artistic Director Mark Armstrong

Dear Friends —

I love Los Angeles. For nearly a decade, I’ve traveled from my home in New York to mount productions of The 24 Hour Plays and Musicals in venues throughout the Los Angeles area. Our community there includes artists from our flagship programs, LA-based alumni from The 24 Hour Plays Nationals, and several of our board members. The wildfires have impacted them all; many evacuated, and some lost their homes. I’m devastated beyond words as I watch unbelievable images flash across my screen.

Los Angeles is one of our homes, in every sense of the word. After years of shows, including our recent triptych of productions in Hollywood, we’re seeking this year to formally become a bi-coastal organization, enlisting Gersh’s Gaby Cohen to head up a West Coast board and bisecting our annual professional intensive (Nationals) to include program participants in Los Angeles in the coming year. Our community there means so much to us — and that community is in crisis.

On March 10, we’ll be back to produce The 24 Hour Plays as planned. We’re currently looking for a non-profit organization supporting people affected by the wildfires to share proceeds with and I’d welcome your recommendations. Our ideal charitable partner will be able to swiftly direct any funds raised towards meaningful and immediate action, but small enough that the modest revenue from a theater event can have a real impact. Please reach out to me via mark@24hourplays.com with your ideas and contacts. We’ve always found working through our own community most effective.

Theater is important, but it’s not shelter or life itself. Even so, we’re The 24 Hour Plays and we go to work. After unimaginable events like September 11, Hurricane Sandy and many more, our shows have brought people together to laugh, cry and explore the lives we lead together. We’ll do what we do best: build community for people who need it. Those are our people in Los Angeles right now and we’ll be with you all soon. 

Best wishes,
Mark