At 7 p.m. on September 7, the Bellevue West Theatre Department will be carrying on the tradition of their 24 Hour Play Festival. The entire process, from writing to end production, will take place over the course of a single day. All five plays are student-led by their directors, writers, cast, and crew members.

Senior Marlo Medill is one of this year’s directors along with seven others. Typically, only those who have completed an advanced theater class are allowed to direct. But this year will be different.

“We have pairs of people in advanced theater right now co-directing,” Medill said.

Directors are assigned their writers, actors, and crew members by drawing their names out of a hat. Each writer is given a list of props and lines determined by theater alumni that must be included in their show. Once the script is ready, crew members can start building the set while actors rehearse with their directors.

“It’s my job to make sure things run smoothly and everyone knows what they’re supposed to be doing,” Medill said “I’m dealing with it from beginning to end.”

The festival is specifically designed for new actors. For the majority of the cast who may be inexperienced, it allows them to work in a comfortable environment where the pressure is minimal and mistakes are common.

“Not only do they get to act a little bit,” Medill said, “But they get to work with the tech people and see what goes on behind the scenes as well.”

Audiences attending the show can expect to be entertained free of cost. In previous festivals, almost every single play was a comedy and this year will be no different. Freshman Caleb Hobbs said he looks forward to the final production.

“I’m excited to make people laugh,” Hobbs said “I love doing that.”