Patchwork Original Plays (POP) is a free, monthly event that lets people play with plays
Writers submit a play of up to 10 minutes in length, the names of volunteer actors are drawn out of a hat, and then we’re off to the races as the actors attempt to perform a play they’ve never read or seen before! Anyone can participate as a writer or actor… or just watch the fun as part of the audience!
The POP competition begins at 7:30 p.m, but is preceded by a cocktail hour with a cash bar offering beer, wine, sodas and mixed drinks starting at 6:30 p.m. POP is a free event, but drink sales help us keep the lights on, so do us a favor and wet your whistle while you’re here!
POP is intended for adults aged 18 and up; some language and themes may be of an adult nature.
How to POP — Writers
Write a play of up to 10 minutes in length. Your theme should be inspired by the monthly prompt, although this isn’t a requirement.
Bring one copy of your script for each character in your play, plus one for yourself. If you have five characters in your play, bring five scripts so your actors don’t have to share. We suggest you write the name of each character on the first page and then highlight that character’s lines in the script — this will help you assign roles when you hand out scripts, and will help the actors who have never seen your script before to stay on track (although there are no guarantees about that!)
When you arrive at the theater, write the name of your show and your own name on a slip of paper available on the ticket counter, and drop it in the basket for plays. Hit the bar and have a drink or two while you’re waiting for your moment in the sun.
Plays are selected for performance by drawing them at random from the basket. When your play is drawn, bring your scripts up to the stage and draw the names of volunteer actors who will perform your play from the baskets.
Once your actors are assembled on stage, our timekeeper will start the clock. You have two minutes to assign roles to each actor and explain anything you want them to know about what they’re about to do.
The timekeeper will call time, and your actors have ten minutes to perform your play. If your show gets the most votes at the end of the night, you’re the winner! If your show runs over 10 minutes, it’s disqualified from competition, but we’re sure the audience will enjoy it anyway.
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite play of the evening (especially if it’s the one you wrote!). If your play wins, you take home our coveted Golden Typewriter trophy! (Although you have to bring it back next month — these things don’t come cheap, you know.)
How to POP — Actors
Head over to the bar, buy yourself a drink of some sort (bar sales help us keep the doors open!), mingle in the lobby or take a seat in the house, and make some new friends!
When the competition begins, playwrights will draw the names of actors at random. If your name is called, head up to the stage, get a script from the writer, and listen to your instructions.
When the timekeeper gives the signal, have a blast acting your little heart out while you and your fellow actors put on the best show ever!
When you’re done, take a seat in the audience — you may get called up again to perform in a different show.
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite play!
How to POP - Audience Members
When you arrive, hit the bar and buy a drink (we know we’ve said this before, but bar sales help us keep doing what we do!)
Settle back and get ready for drama (or maybe guffaws) as actors scramble to put on 10-minute plays they’ve never seen before!
Audience members vote for the plays appearing in the first act during intermission, and again for the second act plays at the end of the evening. The votes are tallied, and the play with the most votes overall is the winner!
When you show up at the theater, head over to the ticket counter, write your name on a slip of paper, and put it in the basket corresponding to your gender. Or whichever basket you find the most appealing at the moment.