The Atlantic Theatre and Tina Fallon will be collaborating this weekend on The 24 Hour Plays an evening of one acts that are conceived, written, cast, read, rehearsed and presented within a 24-hour period.

This fifth annual presentation of The 24 Hour Plays will be produced as a benefit for the Atlantic Theatre Company.

According to Atlantic production notes, work begins at 10 PM, Sept. 8, when some 50 writers, directors, actors and designers gather at the Atlantic Theater.

In a tight overnight work schedule, the following takes place:
1. Beginning Friday, everyone is briefed and Polaroided.
2. The writers go off alone to compose a ten-minute play.
3. At 7 AM, Sat., Sept. 9, the directors read the plays, make their bids and start casting.
4. At 8 AM Sat., the actors arrive and meet with their writer-director teams.
5. At 9 AM Sat., rehearsals start.
6. Tech rehearsal runs from 5 - 7:30 PM.
7. Atlantic's doors open to the public at 7:45 PM and at 8 PM the first of the one acts begins.

A total of 175 plays have been produced in The 24 Hour Play format since the program was initiated in 1995. Atlantic opens its 16th season with Tom Donaghy’s The Beginning of August,starring Mary Steenbergen.

Tickets are $15 and proceeds benefit the Atlantic Theater, located at 336 W. 20th St. (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues). For tickets or information call (212) 206 1515 or visit www.smarttix.com.

-- By Murdoch McBride