On March 4-5, 2022, the ETSU Patchwork Players hosted their annual 24-Hour Play Festival. The 24-Hour Play Festival is an event that takes place every semester, where a group of students gather together to write, cast, design, build and perform a play in the span of 24 hours – a feat that would normally be completed over a timeframe of three or four months.

“I’m excited to do the process of the 24-Hour Play Festival,” said Hana Goss, an ETSU theatre major. “Last semester’s festival was so fun. We got to learn a lot about the process of theatre. It was a great learning experience for me as a writer, director, crew member and designer. I also can’t wait to bond with my fellow peers through theatre. We learn together and it reflects in the end show. For me, it’s not the end but the journey that I enjoy the most, because of how much I learn from myself and others.”

The ETSU Patchwork Players is a campus-wide, student-led organization that is open to all students, whether they are majoring in theatre or not. In addition to the 24-Hour Play Festival, the Patchwork Players enjoy putting on events such as karaoke nights, student-written productions, script readings and cabarets.

“My favorite part of Patchwork Players is learning in many different ways how theatre works,” said Goss. “There are conferences, plays, improv and festivals. Patchwork Players shows me the range of theatre and how I can get involved. They send audition information from all over the surrounding areas which helps me get involved that way, too. I especially love the group of people because they are so supportive and want me to grow in my theatre career. We help each other the best we can, which truly helps me grow as a thespian.”

After a long, work-filled 24 hours, Patchwork Players produced their original play, “Hint” on March 5, 2022. The production team consisted of Hana Goss, Emma-Rae Carson, Alex Riegle, Taryn Estes, Billie Williams, Charlie Landry, Ian Shockley, Caroline Daniels, Kylie Royce-Adams and several others.

If students are interested in joining the Patchwork Players, they can find more information on the group’s Instagram @etsupatchwork.

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