What is community theatre?
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4041
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Topic: What is community theatre?
Posted By: Tom_Rylex
Subject: What is community theatre?
Date Posted: 5/26/09 at 9:47pm
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... no really, I'm serious (and a bit curious). Is there anything special that defines 'community theatre?' What does that mean to you? Is it different than 'high school theater' or 'college theatre' only because you don't get a diploma at the end? Is there anything that separates it from semi-pro or pro theatre besides the money? Is it supposed to be different than a church that puts on plays? In short: What is community theatre supposed to be? ------------- The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. -R. Frost |
Replies:
Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 5/27/09 at 7:42am
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From Wikipedia: Amateur (community) theatre is theatre performed by amateur actors. These actors are not typically members of Actors' Equity groups or Actors' Unions as these organizations exist to protect the professional industry and therefore discourage their members from appearing with companies which are not a signatory to an Equity Agreement or Code. Normally, previously published plays are staged, rather than new, unpublished works. This does depend on the progressiveness of the group to take on the challenge of new works and on the willingness of the playwright to allow an amateur company to perform his or her work.
Amateur Theatre is common in most urban centers; notably, it is staged in summer schools (usually organised by a professional practitioner, such as a director) and in formal amateur companies. Amateur theatre is a convenient way for lay people to gain acting and stage experience, for pleasure and amusement. Other examples of amateur theatre are school Christmas plays, low-budget plays, and musicals staged in local venues in much of the Western World. ------------- In a world of margarine, be butter! |
Posted By: Scott B
Date Posted: 5/28/09 at 11:46am
| Nanette ... looks pretty accurate to me. Certainly explained much better than I could have. |
Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 5/29/09 at 6:32pm
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Well, I'd say it is for the benefit of the community.
You mention High School and College Theatre. If those students develop a fondness for participating in theatre what outlet/opportunities do they have after graduation? Community Theatre. That participation is in all aspects of theatre including being an audience member. 99% of theatre people do it as recreation not profession.
It also is a source of community pride and identification.
It also helps communities have a different perspective of other members in the community. People who are in different social economic groups are on an equal playing field and become friends. "Dr. Smith" becomes "John", and "Miss!" the waitress becomes "Jane" and as such both have a greater appreciation for each others situation.
I could go on ... but that is probably enough for now.  ------------- KEB |
Posted By: Stageref
Date Posted: 6/23/09 at 10:42am
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Love it KEB! So true. ------------- http://www.stageref.com - Stageref.com The new, free, on-line social experience of community theater productions and people |
Posted By: John Luzaich
Date Posted: 6/29/09 at 6:04pm
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During the Colonial & Revolutionary Wars there were amateur theatricals and the Mormons founded the Deseret Theatre in 1850. In 1874 the Aurora Drama Guild in Illinois and the Concord Players in Mass. (by Louisa May Alcott) were founded. In 1877 the Footlight Club was founded in Jamaica Plain, MA and has been declared by AACT (American Association of Community Theatre) to be the oldest continuously producing community theatre in the United States. The movement has been called "art theatre", "little theatre", "amateur theatre", "tributary theatre". The term "community theatre" was coined by Louise Burleigh in 1917. The smaller size of performing spaces led to the name "little theatre". The 1911 tour of the Irish Players had the greatest impact on the United States and seemed to be the catalyst that caused countless dramatic groups to spring up all across the country as a protest against commercial drama. Several years before that tour, little theatres in Wisconsin & Illionois were begun and in North Dakota, pioneer people were developing scripts reflecting life experiences. Thomas Dickinson launched the Wisconsin Dramatic Society and evolved into the Wisconsin Idea Theatre. In New York City, several "non-commercial" groups were founded in 1915: The Provincetown Players (which nurtured Eugene O'Neill), The Washington Square Players (which evolved into the Theatre Guild and the Neighborhood Playhouse (Sandy Meisner Technique) still thriving as a theatre training school. Many of the original "little or amateur" theatres evolved into professional companies (e.g. the Passadena Playhouse, The Pittsburg Playhouse and the Cleveland Playhouse). The next two decades after WWI there were over 100 community theatres founded. A burst of new activity after WWII saw about 3,500 by 1959 producing on a continuous basis. By 1962 the Stanford Research Institute estimated there were 18,000 groups operating of which 3,000 were doing drama at "acceptable" standards and 200 were producing drama at more or less a professional level. In 1975 the ACTA (American Community Theatre Association) estimated there were 15,000 groups. Current estimates are between 7-8,000 theatres and the AACT has over 6,300 on their mailing list.
Community Theatre has the best chance of reaching the average citizen and family and it engages more people in theatrical activity (albeit - for many, part time) than all of the rest of american theatre put together.
Much of the info above is from Twink Lynch from the community theatre in Topeka, Kansas (Topeka Civic Theatre). Twink is past-president of AACT. ------------- John cfct@cfu.net http://www.osterregent.org http://www.facebook.com/osterregent |
Posted By: Tom_Rylex
Date Posted: 7/22/09 at 11:23am
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A nice set of responses, thanks. What I'm getting at is less of the textbook definition of community theatre, and more of the practical aspects. For those of you who have travelled around to different CT groups, have you ever noticed
Alright, long winded enough. Thanks for your comments. ------------- The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. -R. Frost |
Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 7/23/09 at 9:12pm
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With a small state population, of just over 2 million, athough we cover 1/3 of Australia. Of which at least 2/3 of our State populatin, is concitrated here in Perth Metro,Theatre in general is some what thin on the ground.
There is about only 100 member theatre groups in our theatre association [ITA].
As far as schools, there are only a few, who have any theatre activities at all.
As we are just a pimple, on the backside of the theatre world, we have little or any input support from government & local City Councils. CT's have to scrounge & make do with they have or can purlion. from other sources.
Of course one of our greatest reuseable resource, is people! Which at times we tend to use 'n abuse from time to time. While a few theatre grous boast 300 or more members, most of thier numbers, belong to at least 5 other groups as well.
The majority are of couse 'warm Props' & the groups rely on a lowly few old farts, as techies! Hence most of the use & abuse, while assisting them &/or helping them out, for just one production. The group expect them, to also pay for the piverlige - as well!
We need 'To Think it out agan'!
 ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: Mr G
Date Posted: 7/26/09 at 10:08pm
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I've built 30+ sets for a middle school a high school and 3 CT's. Time of 4 hrs to 400 hours per set. For CT's what I've noticed they have in common. 20% of the people do 80% of the work. 70% of the people do 20% of the work and 10% of the people do nothing. The same goes with how dedicated cast members are. Some are totally dedicated, some are very dedicated and some only do a show because the director asked them when he needed a few more live props. Rehearals start at least 10 min late. If music is being rehearsed, as soon as you stop singing, you start talking. Females dance twice as well as males. If it's a cast of kids and adults, kids know music and blocking and lines long before adults. They are generally struggling financially. They use waaay to much black paint-there should be a color called CT black.
The point is, people do community theatre for many different reasons. Some do it to perfect a craft. Some do it as a cheap hobby and some may even do it to get out of the house for a few hours a few times a week. Some "actors" will do 1 show a year and others will do every show they can. Sometimes even being in 2 different shows, with 2 different CT's at the same time.
That's what I've seen.
Mr. G
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Posted By: lparks
Date Posted: 1/12/10 at 5:50am
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The difference is: Community / Amatuer Theatre: Actors are unpaid. Production value tends to be on the lower side of Pro-Am productions (not always, but generally).
High School Theatre: Performed in an academic setting by unpaid teen actors and crew. Production value usually worse than Community Theatre.
College Theatre: Performed by unpaid college students. Production values can range all accross the board from High-School level all the way up to Broadway style, depending on the budget for the school.
Pro-Am / Regional Theatre: Produces "professional" looking shows, and pays the cast and crew a very small amount, or performance stipend.
Professional (LORT/etc): Pay both actors and crew. Generally has an equity and IATSE agreemment. ------------- Landon Parks, Producing Artistic Director, Bloomington Repertory Theatre Co |