Jason Biggs, James McAvoy, David Cross support "The 24 Hour Plays" for Urban Arts Partnership

James McAvoy, Jason Biggs, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Zachary Levi wrote and rehearsed six plays in one day, with a team of six writers and six directors. The event alone raised $500,000 for the Urban Arts Partnership, the Associated Press reports. Orange is the New Black's Jason Biggs has actually had broadway experience since the 1990s, and appeared as Benjamin Braddock in The Graduate with Alicia Silverstone and Kathleen Turner. Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson was in the Tony-award winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Chuck's Zachary Levi made his broadway debut this year in First Date.

The actors started preparing for the impromptu plays at 10 p.m. Sunday and by 8 p.m. Monday they were performing in front of a live audience. Part of the supporting audience included other stars: David Cross, Gina Gershon, Sasha Alexander, the SNL-experienced Rachel Dratch and Jay Pharoah, Rosie Perez, Anthony Mackie, Jordin Sparks, Michael Kenneth Williams, Maggie Q, Krysta Rodriguez and Josh Lucas. David Cross was a veteran, having performed at five previous events. He did walk-on with a one-liner in one play this year. Backstage he also spoke to the AP about the event, joking:

"That's what it is for me: meeting celebrities," Cross said. "I just don't get the opportunity to meet and chitchat - just small talk. I don't want to talk about anything substantive. Just small talk with celebrities is kind of my thing."

American Psycho's Josh Lucas also made a brief appearance on stage. He literally made a scene, shaving his beard on stage.

This crazy long (day and) night is all for supporting arts education in New York City classrooms. Montblanc has funded much of this even the past eight years, and additionally, the Montblanc Young Writers Program.

Montblanc's North America CEO Jan Patrick Schmitz spoke of the event: "I think the actors and playwrights realize that it's such a creative and unique process. To be part of it is such a great experienc," Schmitz said. You see the great skills and camaraderie. At the end, the audience has a highly creative experience."

The event took place at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City. Which actor would you like to see perform live?