The Overnighters is theatre fully realized within twenty-four hours. Four playwrights get a topic at 8:00 PM, then stay up all night writing a 10 to 20 minute play inspired by the given inspiration. Those plays are performed that night at 8:00, fully realized performance with inception to finalization in the span of one day.

I've been one of the producers of the Overnighters up in Anchorage for the past five years. I learned of the concept from the Rough Theatre Company in San Francisco, consisting of "Bulldog" Jenn Garagliano and Bradford Coorman. We've come a long way from our first performances in the Jerry Harper Studio Theatre at UAA.

We perform at least twice a year, and are nearing 100 scripts produced. Scripts we've developed have gone on to win awards and have further productions, both in Alaska and the throughout of the U.S. We now are the opening performance every year at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, and every year it starts us off with the spirit of creativity that is the essence of what the event is about. And other cities around Alaska like Homer have begun to stage their own version of the Overnighters, giving voice to the writers in their communities.

The Overnighters has been co-produced by me'n'my company, Three Wise Monkeys/Moose, and Shane Mitchell and his tribe at TBA Theatre Company.

The Overnighters process is a great education that creates engaging, entertaining theatre. I'm attaching a 12-page how to guide as an Adobe file (Click here to open the guide). It gives the basic instructions on how to run one of these for yourself. Start one of these in your community…. You won't be sorry.

Click the thumbnails below to see posters from previous Overnighters performances.

J. SIBLEY LAW'S PIECE Sib's a good friend of mine I barely know. We worked together on the board of the Playwrights Center of San Francisco for a couple of months before he moved out of town. But we recognized kindred spirit or whatever, and have stayed in touch, and I was thrilled to get to do an Overnighter script of his at the Conference. His current project is pretty fun, www.newsforblonds.com. Pictured cast includes Hailey Faust, Sara Wagner (love you, Sara), Jeff McCamish, and Taylor Haynes.

ARLITIA'S SHOW PICTURES These are from Arlitia Jones' amazing play Over the Sea. They feature Linda Ayres-Frederick, Hailey Faust, Kristin Fernandez, Wayne Mitchell, and the much-missed Meghan Tanner, who played Abigail to my John Proctor in The Crucible here in Valdez (I know, you're saying, "wow, I bet that was amazing," but really, it was a pretty effective production!

SHANE MITCHELL'S SHOW Naughty Friedrich Goes to Heaven, by the ever challenging Shane Mitchell, my partner in crime in producing the Overnighters up in Anchorage. Love his work, and really, this project that I get a lot of credit for wouldn't have happened without his clan's unflagging support and belief. Pictured are Rodney Lamb (going freakin' crazy!), Lindsay Lamar (hot hot hot), and Alette Valencia (who is not allowed in the frozen food section of the supermarket coz she'd melt all that stuff!). These shots are by Gen Hasagawa, and were taken at the 2006 Conference.

The actors, writers, and directors from the Overnighters held in Anchorage, Alaska:

Friday, June 28, 2002 Rhoda Palmer, Three Days Dead by Arlitia Jones Directed by Shane Mitchell Casts Schatzie, Charlotte Kopp, Krista M Schwarting String of Pearls/Succulent by Michael Hansel Directed by Jeremy Bryan Cast: Mark Stoneburner, Erick J. Robertson, Angela Littleton Rock Fall by Dennis Thurston Directed by Geoff Ritchie Cast: Carl Bright, Frank Delaney, Laura Rasmuson, Kristen Frazier One Nation Under by Ann Reddig Directed by Sondra LeClair Cast: Rodney Lamb, Dana Fahrney, Elle Janecek Delaney Saturday, June 29, 2002 Fortitudine by Mark Robokoff Directed by Erin Dagon Cast: Tatsuya Aoyagi, Jennifer Faulkner, Janet Stoneburner, Aaron Wiseman Alone by Forrest Attaway Directed by Tracy Campbell Cast: Brendon Babb, Van Horn Ely, Molly Killoran, Hal Schneider Chariots by Dennis Cleary Directed by Jennifer Waldroup Cast: Megan Bladow, Kristin Fernandez, Rodney Lamb, Kari Mote Afterglow by Brett Chatelain Directed by Lainie Dreas Cast: Petra Banks, David Haynes, Charlotte Kopp, Wayne Mitchell

Friday, December 13, 2002 A Cross to Bear by Schatzie Directed by Erin Dagon Cast: Todd Glidewell, Laura Rasmuson Melody by Paul Brynner Directed by Tracy Hinkson Cast: Ross Emerson, Dane Markell, Jessica Marsh The Runaway by Dennis Thurston Directed by Shane Mitchell Cast: Shane Mitchell, Leif Sawyer, Frances Tolbert A Bowl of Strawberries by Ann Reddig Directed by Tracy Campbell Cast: Petra Banks, Tracy Campbell, Dennis Cleary, Charlotte Kopp, Dawson Moore Saturday, December 14, 2002 Sharkers by Arlitia Jones Directed by Mike Daniels Cast: Tracy Hinkson, Yosh Hiyashi, Paul Jones, Jeff McCamish Saving the Union by Peter Porco Directed by Brendon Babb Cast: Elle Janecek Delaney, Jennifer Faulkner, Paul Schweigert, Aaron Wiseman The 13th Commandment by Forrest Attaway Directed by Kari Mote, assisted by Lois Kendrick Cast: Frank Delaney, Mark Robokoff, Krist M. Schwarting Wonderful, Wonderful by Mira Vasiljevic Directed by Tracy Campbell Cast: Shanwne Albright, Sara Davis, Wayne Mitchell, Schatzie

Saturday, August 16, 2003 Lust by Forrest Attaway Directed by Wayne Mitchell Cast: Rodney Lamb, Dana Fahrney, Petra Banks Delivery by Frances Tolbert Directed by Tracy Campbell Cast: Frank Delaney, Lesley Borkowski The Feast of the Assumption by Mark Robokoff Directed by Ron Holmstrum Cast: Megan Bladow, Nick Lynch, Ellie Delaney Proof of Love by Mike Daniels Directed by Erin Dagon Cast: Leif Sawyer, Jill Yarbrough, Alexandra Korshin Emotional Modifications by Shane Mitchell Directed by Rory O'Boyle Cast: Kevin Sweeney, Audra Nabinger, Bryce T. Gill The Bodice Rippers by Arlitia Jones Directed by Vicki Russell Cast: Steven Cooper, Christa Brelsford, Jennifer Faulkner

Saturday, December 20, 2003 Pilates of the Caribbean by Linda Billington Directed by Schatzie Schaefers Cast: Wayne Mitchell, Nick Lynch, Dawson Moore, Megan Bladow Tinkle Bells by Jill Bess Directed by Mike Daniels Cast: Krista M. Schwarting, Leif Sawyer, Brenda Joyner Virginia, Alabama, a Bit Beyond by Dawson Moore Directed by Jill Yarbrough Cast: Sara Waisanen, Paul Brynner, Regina MacDonald What the Mountain Keeps by Arlitia Jones Directed by Erin Dagon Cast: Petra Banks, Carl Bright, Kary L. Bashford, Thomas Korn Sunday, December 21, 2003 Only a Hippopotamus Will Do by Wendy Withrow Directed by Paul Brynner Cast: Kevin Sweeney, Allison Leary, Alexis Hudson Die Again Another Day With Love by Dave Block Directed by Mike Faust Cast: Frank Delaney, Alexandra Korshin, Nick Weaver, Jim Howard A Christmas Quarrel by Dennis Cleary Directed by Ron Holmstrum Cast: Christa Brelsford, Jennifer Faulkner, Aric Hudson Christmas at Ground Zero by Ann Reddig Directed by Paul Schweigert Cast: Lesley Borkowski, Billy Worthy, Regina MacDonald, Karen Lauer, Paul Schweigert

Saturday, August 21, 2004 Salmon Taloned by Cardinal Knowledge by Ann Reddig Directed by Rory O'Boyle Cast: Rita Miraglia, Nick Lynch, Elle Janecek Delaney, Rachel Babcock, Wayne Mitchell Schatzie Schaefers' funny funny play Ancient Chinese Secret. The togas would be Charlotte Kopp, Van Horn Ely II, and Kayti Barnett. The histrionic man is Stuart Matthews, and he's yelling at Jennifer Faulkner. My play The War of Virginia and Alabama. Sara's being brilliant in this shot, with Paul Brynner waiting his turn to be brilliant. Krista Schwarting with anonymous necking couple (okay, it's proly Leif Sawyer & Christina Weber in Peter Porco's Wrinkles in Time). Mike Daniels has something to hide! Wrinkles in Time by Peter Porco Directed by Kristina M. Church Cast: Leif Sawyer, Erika Savage, Krista M. Schwarting, Christina Weber Sevenfold by Mark Stoneburner Directed by Paul Brynner Cast: Paul Schweigert, Regina MacDonald, Jill Yarbrough, Kristin Fernandez The Miraculous Resurrection of Humpty Dumpty by P. Shane Mitchell Directed by Erin Dagon Cast: Amanda Thomas, Rodney Lamb, Glen Wald, Dana Fahrney, Lesley Burkowski Sunday, August 22, 2004 Ancient Chinese Secret by Schatzie Schaefers Directed by Brendan Babb Cast: Charlotte Kopp, Van Horn Ely, Morgan Hobkirk, Stuart Matthews, Jennifer Faulkner, Vivian Kinnaird, Kayti Barnett Fastrax by Mark Robokoff Directed by Dave Block Cast: Lisa Reed, Audra Mabinger, Dave Block, Paul Brynner, Michelle Inman, Carl Bright, Aric Hudson, Jesse The Ballad of Sidewinder Slade… by Linda Billington Directed by Jill Yarbrough Cast: Mike Daniels, Dennis Cleary, Carmen Pfeil, Jacqueline Heimel, Krista Brelsford The Eccentricities of a Monkey Rat… by Mark Muro Directed by Vicki Russell Cast: Frank Delaney, Petra Banks, Alexandra Korshin, Kathy Hertel-Baker, Mark Stoneburner, Aron Johnson

Saturday, January 29, 2005 Babe Magnet by Arlitia Jones Directed by Rory O'Boyle Cast: Paul Brynner, Frank Delaney, Aaron Wiseman, Morgan Hobkirk, Regina MacDonald, Rory O'Boyle Onions by Peter Porco Directed by Vicki Russell Cast: Rodney Lamb, Christina Weber, Scott Baker, Mark Stoneburner The Fears of Harold Snedleigh / a lame squirrel by Dawson Moore Directed by Erin Dagon Mitchell Cast: Mark Robokoff, Todd Glidewell, Jeff Atuk, Lindsay Lamar, Hailey Faust Taint Corn by Ann Reddig Directed by Mike Faust Cast: Jeff McCamish, Molly Killoran, Karen Lauer, Laura Carpenter, Christa Brelsford, Roxann Anstett Sunday, January 30, 2005 Shitty Haircut by Wendy Withrow Directed by Dave Block Cast: Karina Thomas, Carl Bright, Megan Bladow, Ryan Buen, Scott Semans, Aric Hudson Cloak of Stars by Mark Muro Directed by Mike Daniels Cast: Jesse Alleva, Brian Lyke, Jacqueline Rose Heimel, Kristina Church, Kathy Hertl-Baker Fun Things to Do by Sarah Hurst Directed by Rachel Babcock Cast: Dave Fink, Dana Fahrney, Rebecca Brothers, Paul Brynner Green Legs & Spam by Schatzie Schaefers Directed by Dawson Moore Cast: Stuart Matthews, Elle Delaney, Regina MacDonald, Alexandra Korshin, Dawson Moore

Sunday, August 28, 2005, Wendy Williamson Auditorium Alamo Confidential by Linda Billington Directed by Brendan Babb; Stage Managed by Chistina Ashby Cast: Lesley Borkowski, Lindsay Lamar, Paul Brynner, Dennis Cleary, Kevin Goff, Tyler Collins Love in Darkest Suburbia by Doreen Ransom Directed by Richard Benavides; Stage Managed by Melissa Workman Cast: Lesley Borkowski, Jeff McCamish, Alex Korshin, Frank Delaney, Whitney Wright, Ryan Buen Go This Way by Arlitia Jones Directed by Paul Schweigert; Stage Managed by Talia Ibarguen Cast: Lesley Borkowski, Stuart Matthews, Kathy Hertel-Baker, Hailey Faust, Wendy Withrow, Danny Jones, Jessie Scholz Blighted by Rita Miraglia Directed by Erin Dagon; Stage Managed by Brian Lyke Cast: Mark Robokoff, Wayne Mitchell, Leif Sawyer, Petra Banks, Kristin Fernandez, Ernie Piper, Mark Robokoff One Lonely Mute Protagonist by Schatzie Schaefers Directed by Krista M. Schwarting; Stage Managed by Amelia Veilleux Cast: Lesley Borkowski, Kristina Church, Christopher Bean, Matt Smith, Jessica Faust, Regina MacDonald, Morgan Hobkirk, Carl Bright, Tina Lloyd, Terri Doyle Norma's by Tonya Derrickson Directed by Vicki Russell; Stage Managed by Christina Ashby Cast: Mark Robokoff, Dana Fahrney, Kelly Rossberg, Aaron Wiseman, Aric Hudson, Kelly Cameron, Erick Hayden, Wesley Ford

Saturday, January 7, 2006, Wendy Williamson Auditorium Final Forest by Linda Billington Directed by Erin Dagon Mitchell; Stage Managed by Melissa R. Workman Cast: Carl Bright, Ryan Buen, Elle Janecek Delaney, Nick Lynch, Cameron McKay, Aaron Wiseman Games People Play by John McKay Directed by Kari Mote; Stage Managed by Amelia Veilleux Cast: Lesley Borkowski, Paul Brynner, Matt Fossberg, Rita Miraglia, Randall C. Peck, Glen Wall A Tree by Any Other Name by Ann Reddig Directed by Ron Holmstrom; Stage Managed by Peter Porco Cast: Tyler Colins, Jessica Faust, Mike Faust, Ron Holmstrom, Rodney Lamb, Jerry McDonnell, Peter Porco, Leif Sawyer The Don of Smyrna by Schatzie Schaefers Directed by Codie Costello; Stage Managed by Alexis Hudson Cast: Rebecca Brothers, Todd Glidewell, Emily Kurn, Jeff McCamish, Jimmy Navarro, Frances Tolbert, Jill Yarbrough Sunday, January 8, 2006 Mount Fuji: A Parable by P. Shane Mitchell Directed by Jill Yarbrough; Stage Manage by Zieh Huyck Cast: Brendan Babb, Emily Cohn, Dana Fahrney, Kristin Fernandez, Anthony Lounsbury, Ernie Piper, Jessie Scholz When You Can't Think of Anything, Just Go for Racist by Sam Dunham Directed by Vicki Russell; Stage Managed by Alexis Hudson Cast: Paul Brynner, Ryan Buen, Laura Carpenter, Regina MacDonald, Krista M. Schwarting, Janet Stoneburner Karma by Paul Schweigert Directed by Dave Block; Stage Managed by Melissa R. Workman Cast: Jesse Aleva, Petra Banks, Frank Delaney, Aric Hudson, Emily Kurn King Koi by Arlitia Jones Directed by Mark Robokoff; Stage Managed by Amelia Veilleux Cast: Kayti Barnett, Michelle Hart, Charlotte Kopp, Wayne Mitchell, Janet Stoneburner, Wendy Withrow

Saturday, June 17, 2006, Valdez Civic Center, Last Frontier Theatre Conference

Naughty Friedrich Goes to Heaven by P. Shane Mitchell
Directed by Krista Schwarting
Cast: Deborah Gideon, Lindsay Lamar, Rodney Lamb, Alette Valencia

Over the Sea by Arlitia Jones
Directed by Erin Dagon
Cast: Linda Ayres-Frederick, Kristin Fernandez, Wayne Mitchell, Meghan Tanner

Depth of Emotion by J. Sibley Law
Directed by Vicki Russell
Cast: Jesse Alleva, Ryan Buen, Hailey Faust, Taylor Hanes, Jeff McCamish, Sara Wagner

Saturday, August 19, 2006, Wendy Williamson Auditorium A Day at the Post-Apocalyptic Beach by Linda Billington Directed by Kari Mote; inspired by Cheryl Lyon's Day at the Beach Cast: BreAnn Brandlen, Emily Cohn, Hailey Faust, Nick Lynch, & Janet Stoneburner Princess Court by Ann Reddig Directed by Vicki Russell; inspired by Kate McPherson's Princess Court Cast: Laura Carpenter, Kathleen Hertel-Baker, Regina MacDonald, Leif Sawyer, Jessie Scholz Immaculata by Paul Brynner Directed by Codie Costello; inspired by Jo Dagon's Mother and Child Cast: Paul Brynner, Ryan Buen, Codie Costello, Todd Glidewell, Aron Johnson, Alex Korshin This Really is the End by Dawson Moore Directed by Krista M. Schwarting; inspired by Julie Decker's Sheep Counted Cast: Eleanor Janecek Delaney, Dana Fahrney, David Haynes, Krista M. Schwarting, Meghan Tanner, Jill Yarbrough Sunday, August 20, 2006 Egg Macguffin by Brendan Babb Directed by Megan Bladow; inspired by Garry Kaulitz' Sitemap 801.A Cast: Justin Birchell, Lesley Borkowski, Paul Brynner, Kristin Fernandez, Wayne Mitchell, Ernie Piper The Bridge Place by Mark Robokoff Directed by Jill Yarbrough; inspired by Marcella Munoz' Untitled Cast: Michelle Hart, John McKay, Jessica Pervier, Jessie Scholz, Wendy Withrow A Stiff Pounding by Schatzie Schaefers Directed by Dawson Moore; inspired by Margaret Hugi-Lewis' The Drummer Cast: Jackie Carr, Morgan Hobkirk, Jodi Hughes, Anthony Lounsbury, Brian Lyke, Regina MacDonald Grand Central and 42nd by Arlitia Jones Direced by Erin Dagon Mitchell; inspired by Duke Russell's Grand Central and 42nd Cast: Petra Banks, Tyler, Collins, Eleanor Janecek Delaney, David Fink, Cameron McKay, Amelia Veilleux, Aaron Wiseman, Whitney Wright Photos From the Last Set of Overnighters in Valdez, Featuring work by Ann Reddig, Schatzie Schaefers, Lia Romeo, and Mark Muro.