Playwrights Race The Clock for 24-Hour Theater Showcase in Brooklyn

The 24 Hour Plays began rolling out the first wave of artists set for its milestone 25th Annual Gala, happening Friday, Dec. 12, at The Space at Irondale in Fort Greene.

The organization marks its 25th year with a Brooklyn homecoming, bringing its signature overnight creative sprint to the historic Irondale stage for a one-night-only celebration. The annual gala is a staple of New York’s arts calendar, uniting performers, playwrights and directors who create and stage brand-new work in just 24 hours, a tradition that has sparked lasting collaborations and generated some unforgettable theater moments.

This year’s lineup already includes an eclectic mix of stage and screen names: Ben Ahlers, Gregg Bello, David Burtka, Asia Kate Dillon, Joel Marsh Garland, Olli Haaskivi, Morgan Siobhan Green, Josh Hamilton, Fred Hechinger, Ralph Macchio, Andrew McCarthy, Emma Ramos, Faith Salie, Jen Tullock and Kirsten Vangsness.

Writers Courtney Baron and Jonathan Marc Sherman and directors Isaac Butler, Ryan Dobrin, Victor Malana Maog and Pippin Parker are also on board, with additional artists to be revealed in the coming weeks.

“As a longtime Brooklyn resident, I’m especially delighted that The 24 Hour Plays annual gala will travel over the bridge for its 25th year, and just in time for the holiday season,” said Artistic Director Mark Armstrong. “We look forward to announcing another incredible group of actors, directors and playwrights who’ll create a singular evening of theater at the iconic Space at Irondale.”

Founded in 1995, The 24 Hour Plays has grown into a global platform connecting creative communities through rapid-fire theatrical storytelling. Beyond its New York flagship, the organization produces events in cities including Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Mexico City, Philadelphia and Minneapolis. It supports licensed productions in schools and theaters worldwide.

The company’s Viral Monologues series, launched in 2020, added hundreds of new works to its archive and has been recognized by the Library of Congress.

Each summer, early-career artists from across disciplines participate in a free intensive that culminates in their own production of The 24 Hour Plays Off-Broadway, continuing the organization’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of theater-makers.