It can take weeks, months and even years for a show to make its debut on stage. But this weekend, University students only have 24 hours to create a play for performance.

Thalian Blackfriars, the University’s student production company, will sponsor the third annual 24-hour play competition today and tomorrow. The assignment is to “write, direct, cast and put on a 20-minute show for an audience,” said Brittany Felton, a junior from Alpharetta.

Students will participate by year level and must follow a specific theme, which will be announced at the beginning of the competition.

Felton said last year’s theme was “Outback,” and her sophomore class wrote a play about Outback Steakhouse.

“When you have time constraints, creativity blossoms,” said Joe Gabler, a junior from Marietta, who played “Captain Sparkle,” a fictional bartender at Outback Steakhouse.

“You don’t worry about how much it makes sense. It can be silly or crazy,” he said.

Performances begin at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Cellar Theatre of the Fine Arts Building, and the audience will decide the winner of the competition.

All students interested in participating should meet at 8 tonight in the Cellar Theatre.

Atlanta Ballet performs tonight

The Atlanta Ballet will perform both classical and contemporary dance pieces at 8 tonight in the Fine Arts Theatre.

The program, sponsored by the Performing Arts Center, includes original choreography by the company’s artistic director, John McFall, who will also provide a pre-concert lecture at 7:15 p.m.

The company brings about 18 to 20 professional dancers to perform “Black Swan Pas de Deux” from “Swan Lake,” “Bachslide,” McFall’s “Jupiter” and “Stella,” said Tim Bartholow, director of the Performing Arts Center.

He describes McFall’s artistic style as “very distinctive and fun.”

“It’s a special treat to bring in Georgia artists,” Bartholow said of the internationally recognized company. “These aren’t just people in swan costumes on point.”

Tickets are $29 for rear orchestra and $34 for front orchestra. Students can get half-price tickets with a valid UGAcard. To book tickets in advance, call 542-4400 or toll free at (888) 289-8497 (BUY-TIXS).