14/48 Hollywood cultivates a supportive community for radical artistic collaboration, forging new connections between artists and audiences.
How does it all work?
Thursday Night
All festival participants are called to an introductory meeting, in person or on zoom. During the meeting, the theme is pulled from a list of ideas proposed anonymously by 14/48 Hollywood participants. Ex: “Theater would be a lot more interesting if there were seven ten-minute plays about _____.” One answer is chosen at random and that becomes the theme for the following evening. Writers are tasked to write a brand new 10-minute play based on the theme by 8:00 AM, Friday morning. The writers are given an order number for their play and allotted size of cast.
Friday Morning
Friday Until the Show
After the first batch of plays are received, writers & directors meet in the space for the directors to pull a play at random. The directors then have the opportunity to discuss their chosen play with the playwright. An hour later, actors arrive and the draw happens again, this time with the directors drawing actors' names to assemble their casts.
After the first batch of plays are received, writers & directors meet in the space for the directors to pull a play at random. The directors then have the opportunity to discuss their chosen play with the playwright. An hour later, actors arrive and the draw happens again, this time with the directors drawing actors' names to assemble their casts.
The seven casts separate to rehearse as the musicians and designers are called to the venue. Musicians spend the day coordinating with the directors to create intro songs, transitions, and cues and for each play. Simultaneously, designers coordinate with directors to create any and all costumes, set pieces, & props for all seven shows.
Starting around midday, each show gets 20 minutes to tech for lighting cues. The rest of the time is spent rehearsing and getting ready for the evening's shows!
Friday Evening
At 7:00 PM the seven world premier plays are performed for the first time. At this performance, audience members are invited to submit any idea for a theme for the Saturday's shows! This theme is pulled after the curtain call for first show, and the writers are sent off again to write seven more brand new plays to premiere the following evening. At 9:30 PM, the show is performed all over again.
Saturday Until the Show
Saturday morning and afternoon follows the same structure as Friday with seven brand new based on the new theme.
Saturday Evening
At 7:00 PM the seven world premier plays are performed for the first time. At 9:30 PM, the show is performed all over again with a final bow and the final curtain call for the festival!
The Producing Committee
Benjamin McFadden he/him
Ben originates from Seattle and is a veteran actor, writer & director of 14/48: The World's Quickest Theater Festival. Ben teaches acting and theater with a handful of companies and art centers across the West Coast. He is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts and the Directing Intensive at Yale University.
Elena Maria Sanchez she/they
Elena Maria Sanchez is a Chicana artist splitting her time between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. As an interdisciplinary artist, she has blended together her experiences in performance, design, and photography to coincide collaboratively.
Charles Norris he/him
A graduate of Cornish College of the Arts, Charles is a proud working actor and producer. After years of appearing on Seattle stages, he is now based in Los Angeles, CA, where he’s been working commercially and theatrically the past 8 years.
Jessica Erin Martin she/her
Actor, writer, director, and producer hailing from Seattle, Jess started her career in regional theater and has performed on stages across the country. In Los Angeles, Jessica has worked in commercials, films, and television (NCIS: LA, Ratched, General Hospital, S.W.A.T., Z Nation, Criminal Minds, The Last Ship, Grimm).
Mike Bowers he/him
Mike Bowers is an actor, director, writer and producer living in Los Angeles. In addition to his work with 14//48 Hollywood, he also serves on the Board of Conundrum Theatre Company based out of Burbank. He loves theatre and is so grateful that he gets to work with so many incredible talented and dedicated people. You can see what he's up to on Instagram (@bikemowers) and read his musings on film and TV on his Substack.