Dionysus Festival: Pit & Balcony’s 24-Hour Theatre Competition and Showcase

Arts & Entertainment

Robert E Martin

Robert E Martin

With a keen focus on innovative experimentation, Pit & Balcony is paying homage to the Greek god of wine and drama with the first ever Dionysus Festival, taking place over March 31st & April 1st, 2023.

During this 24-hour lock-in style event, teams of four will compete to write and rehearse completely original 10-minute plays. The plays will then be presented in a public showcase on April 1st at 8:00 pm where the audience will choose the winning team.

“Great Dionysia was a 6-day theatre festival celebrated yearly, usually in March, in 5th century Athens,” says Rhiannon Evans-Hall, Dionysus Fest committee member and dramaturg. “After a huge kickoff feast playwrights would compete by having their newest works celebrated in honor of Dionysus.”

Pit & Balcony will emulate the ancient carnival by hosting a private kickoff feast on March 31st at which time the festival’s theme will be revealed to the participants. Teams will then be invited to utilize all spaces within the theatre and the costume shop over the following 24 hours to write and rehearse their original pieces. Supplies, meals, and sleeping arrangements will all be provided by the theatre in addition to minimal technical elements for each finalized play. Early bird registration has concluded, but interested teams of four may still register up to 4pm on March 31st at this link. Registration cost is $100/team.

On April 1st the theatre will open its doors to the public for a showcase of the plays written over the preceding 24 hours. Doors will open at 7:00 pm and performances will begin at 8:00 pm. Beer, wine, Dionysian-themed cocktails, and charcuterie snacks will be available for purchase. At least seven plays will be showcased during the public event with prizes given to the top three teams based on audience vote.

Showcase admission is “Pay-What-You-Wish” at the door with opportunities to make additional donations throughout the event.

The Dionysus Festival is supported in part by Dawn of a New Day Coffeehouse, Jolt Credit Union, the Sarmiento Dream Team, PaSong’s Cafe, SVSU, Rick Ford, Tom & Cathleen Veverka, Spicer Group, Joel & Katie Beltran, Hourglass Piercing, Hamilton Street Pub, The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History, Lionwood Creations, Manic Antics by Kendra, White’s Bar, Oracle Brewing Company, and USA Today Bestselling Author Heather Young-Nichols.

More information can be found at www.pitandbalconytheatre.com or by calling 989.754.6587.

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