Thirty Plays in Sixty Minutes

In October of 2015, the Oakwood Theatre Department continued its 50th Anniversary celebration with a high school production of The Silver Door: Thirty Plays in Sixty Minutes. A continuation of the trend started by the Neo-Futurists in the late 1970s, 30/60 is a collection of student-written plays that bends, and sometimes breaks, the constructs of the modern theatre format. Landing somewhere between Brechtian Theatre, Farce, and the Avant Garde, The Silver Door was a wondrous, complex, and fast-paced experience.

Enjoy these looks back at the production with reflections from Director, Jonas Oppenheim:

We began by reading plays by Chicago’s Neo-Futurists. We marveled at their creativity and smarts. We talked about how to find play-worthy moments in our observations, thoughts, memories, and imaginations.

Jonas Oppenheim, Director

Each actor wrote at least five plays, in rehearsal and at home. They wrote for this ensemble. With mere minutes to prepare, they staged their plays for each other. The ensemble analyzed the new plays and offered feedback and suggestions. Everyone revised their three favorites, and we read the finalists out loud.

Jonas Oppenheim, Director

Ren and I selected these 30 for their invention, daring, and entertainment value. Throughout, I have been floored by the generosity of this ensemble, in terms of support, respect, and commitment to each other’s work. I think the Neo-Futurists would be proud of them. I know I am.

Jonas Oppenheim, Director

Photos by Angelina Attwell.