Six plays in 48 hours. This is the task artists are tackling for the inaugural “48 Hours in… Baton Rouge.”
“48 Hours in…” festivals are produced by Harlem9, a New York-based organization dedicated to exploring Black culture through storytelling. Their Obie-winning “48 Hours in…” festivals have been presented in various cities across the country since 2011.
This particular iteration of “48 Hours in…” is a collaboration between Harlem9 and the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, and it’s been a long time coming.
Garlia Cornelia Jones, one of the founding producers of Harlem9, cites her college best friend, Lindi Spalatin, who lives in Baton Rouge, as the inspiration for bringing the festival to the city. They’ve been talking about it since the festival began.
“She (Spalatin) always thought this was a festival that could and should happen down here,” Jones wrote in an email. “It's a wild, full-circle moment, and I am thrilled a literal dream is coming true.”
The event will bring together six playwrights, six directors and 18 actors to write six brand-new plays centered around the theme “No Place Like Home.” Each 10-minute production will also respond to one local health disparity — heart disease, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and kidney disease.
“Baton Rouge is so fortunate to have Harlem9 curate a '48-hour' play experience for our city,” said Renee Chatelain, former president and CEO of the Arts Council and advisory board member for One Nation One Project. “Their guidance and collaboration with local artists around the topic of 'No Place Like Home' has brought focus about our lived experience in this very place, and it all feels like a family reunion, even among those who have not yet met."
'48 Hours in… Baton Rouge'
7 p.m. Saturday
Hartley/Vey Studio Theatre, Manship Theatre,100 Lafayette St.
$17 in advance online or $25 at the door
