There’s always something happening in the LAB. World premieres may be at the heart of what we do—but they’re not the only reason to join us. Throughout the year, LAB turns up the fun with special performances, competitions, festivals, fundraisers, and events that bring artists and audiences together in entirely different ways. Come create something. Compete. Sing too loudly. Test your useless knowledge. Discover something unexpected. Support new theatre. Whatever brings you through the door, come play in the LAB!
Are you up for the challenge?
LAB Under Pressure
A 32-Hour Short Play Competition
One weekend. One envelope. Endless possibilities.
Writers, actors, directors, and creative troublemakers have just 32 hours to turn a surprise prompt, required prop, and required line into a completely original short play—then perform it live on the LAB stage.
October 17–18, 2026
Team Registration: $50 | Festival Tickets: $20
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Think you can create a brand-new play in just 32 hours?
LAB Theater Project is turning up the pressure with a fast, furious, slightly unhinged weekend of theatrical creation.
On Saturday morning, up to six teams will gather at LAB and receive a sealed challenge containing a required theme, prop, and line.
Then the clock starts.
Write. Cast. Rehearse. Panic. Create.
By Sunday afternoon, teams must deliver a completely original 10–20 minute play, written, rehearsed, and ready to perform before a live audience that evening.
No old scripts. No weeks of rehearsal. No elaborate scenery.
Just your team, your imagination, and 32 hours to make theatre happen.
THE CHALLENGE
SATURDAY — 10:00 AM
Teams gather at LAB for registration, welcome, and the big reveal.
Each team receives:
- A required theme/prompt
- A required prop
- A required line
Then you disappear into the wild to create your play.
SUNDAY — 2:00 PM
Scripts are due.
Late scripts are eliminated, so keep an eye on that clock!
Performance order will be determined by the order completed scripts are received.
SUNDAY — 3:00 PM
Teams return to LAB for scheduled onstage rehearsal and tech time.
SUNDAY — 6:00 PM
LAB UNDER PRESSURE takes the stage!
Every team performs its brand-new, fully memorized play for a live audience and our panel of judges.
Then we celebrate what somehow emerged from 32 hours of glorious theatrical chaos—and hand out some cash.
CASH PRIZES
BEST PLAY — $250
BEST SCRIPT — $100
BEST ENSEMBLE — $100
THE MAD SCIENTIST AWARD — $50
For the most inventive creation of the weekend.
THE RULES — WITHOUT THE FINE PRINT
Your play must:
- Be 10–20 minutes long
- Be written entirely during the competition
- Incorporate the required theme, prop, and line
- Be fully memorized for Sunday’s performance
- Use LAB’s provided basic furniture/set pieces
- Keep additional props simple enough for your team to carry on and off
- Be created by a team of 2–6 people, including playwright, director, performers, and crew
Judges will consider writing, performance, creativity, use of the prompt, and audience response when selecting the winners.
Full competition rules will be provided to registered teams.
READY TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE?
Team Registration: $50
Registration is limited to just six teams, so grab your writers, actors, directors, creative troublemakers—or whoever you trust to survive 32 hours of theatrical madness—and claim your spot.
Saturday, October 17 – Sunday, October 18, 2026
LAB Theater Project | Ybor City
FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE
Want to watch the madness without living through it?
Join us Sunday at 6:00 PM to see six plays that didn’t exist 32 hours earlier.
Festival Tickets: $20
32 hours. One stage. Brand-new theatre.