More than 70 Central Arkansas playwrights, directors, actors, stage managers, musicians, designers and technicians will turn blank pages into fully staged world premieres in the fourth annual edition of The 24 Hour Plays: Little Rock.
The event is set for 7 p.m. Monday at Argenta Contemporary Theatre, 405 Main St., North Little Rock. Tickets are priced at $45, with 100 per cent of net proceeds designated for Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled.
One night, six premieres
The 24 Hour Plays format condenses the full theatrical pipeline — writing, rehearsal, design and performance — into a single day. For Little Rock’s fourth annual edition, organisers have enlisted a community ensemble of more than 70 theatre professionals and emerging artists to produce six short plays that will premiere the same evening they are conceived.
The fundraiser model pairs rapid‑fire creativity with charitable giving: audiences experience new work and proceeds support a local social‑service organisation that provides employment and services to people with developmental disabilities.
Touring holiday production brings Irish dance to Arkansas
Complementing the local scene, a touring company will bring “A Celtic Christmas: A Taste of Ireland” to Northwest Arkansas this winter. The production — described in promotional materials as coming “direct from New York's off‑Broadway and London's West End” — features former World Irish Dance Champions and performers associated with landmark dance productions such as Lord of the Dance and Riverdance.
“Direct from New York's off‑Broadway and London's West End, 'A Celtic Christmas' is a breathtaking celebration of Irish culture, Christmas traditions and world‑class entertainment,”
Performance dates and venues are:
- Nov. 21 — Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, 7:30 p.m.
- Nov. 22 — Robinson Center Performance Hall, Little Rock, 4 p.m.
Ticket prices for the Little Rock date range from $43.75 to $91.50 and go on sale via Ticketmaster at 10 a.m. on the stated sales date; Fayetteville prices are listed at $48.65 to $123.50 (plus taxes, subject to change), with sales opening at noon and box‑office information available through the Walton Arts Center.
Looking ahead: major early‑2027 productions
Regional companies have already begun shaping their 2027 lineups. One confirmed collaboration pairs two local youth ensembles for a staged musical adaptation of a late‑1990s film:
| Production | Companies | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Wedding Singer | The Royal Theater's Young Players and Stage 13 | Jan. 7–24 | The Royal Theatre, Benton |
The upcoming musical credits note music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and a book by Beguelin and Tim Herlihy, based on the 1998 film starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The production will feature performers from the Stage 13 Pre‑Professional Company and the Young Players Second Stage.
What this means for audiences and artists
These announcements point to a healthy mix of experimental, community‑driven work and commercially viable touring fare in Central Arkansas. The 24 Hour Plays format continues to function as a laboratory — a chance for local artists to collaborate intensively and for audiences to see new voices in development. Simultaneously, the arrival of a polished, internationally marketed holiday production demonstrates the region’s draw for touring shows that rely on established brands and spectacle.
For ticket buyers, the season offers a range of experiences and price points: community theatre fundraisers at modest prices sit alongside premium‑priced touring events. For theatre practitioners, the calendar provides both a platform for emerging work and potential employment tied to larger touring productions.
Readers seeking tickets or more information can contact Argenta Contemporary Theatre, Walton Arts Center and the Robinson Center Performance Hall or visit each organisation’s website and Ticketmaster for sale dates and seating details.
