HOLYOKE – From the playwrights’ first inspiration to the actors' final bows, theater alumni from Holyoke Community College will create, produce and rehearse six original 10-minute plays in just 24 hours and showcase them on Sept. 24, starting at 7:30 p.m. in HCC’s Leslie Phillips Theater.

The 24-Hour Play Festival, a first-of-its-kind theatrical benefit at HCC, will honor the late Leslie Phillips, founder of the HCC Theater Program. All of the proceeds from the event will go toward the Leslie Phillips Fund for Theater Arts and Education, which will support a variety of initiatives such as guest artists, scholarships, master classes, theater enrichment programs, and other new opportunities for HCC students and faculty members.

Phillips was a dedicated teacher who was passionate about theater education and devoted to inspiring her students to explore and discover their passion for the performing arts. She died in 1988.

“Leslie was not only a friend, she was a role model and mentor to countless students,” said Lisa Poehler, ’84, a Holyoke native, resident of Springfield, and one of the organizers of the event, which is being produced by a group of theater alumni calling themselves the HCC Alumni Players. “We are proud to recognize her legacy and continue her passion for theater education with this unique fundraiser.”  

The other main organizers are Denise Boutin, ’77, of East Longmeadow, and Linda Eger-Fitzel, ’83, of Holyoke.

To create the 24-Hour Play Festival, HCC alumni and friends will come together on September 23 to begin writing, directing, and rehearsing six one-act plays. Just 24 hours later, these never-before-seen works will be performed on the stage where many of these alumni took their first bows as HCC drama students, some more than 30 years ago.

Tickets may be purchased in advance (credit card only) by calling the HCC Foundation office at 552-2182 or by emailing foundation@hcc.edu. Advance tickets are $18 for the general public and $15 for students, seniors and HCC faculty and staff.

Day of show tickets (cash only) may be purchased at the HCC Box Office for $20 (general public) and $18 for students, seniors and HCC faculty and staff.

For more information, contact Lisa Poehler at 726-8582 or 33andathird@comcast.net.