Gourt > Arts > Performing Arts > Theatre > Community Theatre (72)
Community theatre, known as amateur dramatics or amdram in the United Kingdom, is a very popular form of theatre in which all or most of the participants are unpaid or "amateur" in the most literal definition of the word. Community theatre generally resembles professional theatre in all ways except in the unpaid nature of the artists. Though community theatres are generally more traditional in nature, all forms of theatre are practiced in these non-professional venues. They are especially well known for producing musical theater and children's theater. It is not a technical definition, and many companies that are made up of unpaid members do not identify themselves as community theatre; usually the distinction between a "standard" theatre group and a community theatre is made by the company itself. Community theatre provides the opportunity for diverse individuals, many of them in other professions, to create plays and have the satisfaction of being part of an active social and artistic community. Often this involves individuals who have little or no background in theatre or the arts but who wish to get involved and to develop skills in theatre.
Community theatre is often ridiculed or lampooned, reputed to have lower quality than professional theatre. However, a great number of community theatres are respected establishments in their community, and the great majority of professional artists in the theatre report that they began their career in non-professional theatre.
There are a growing number of community theatre companies and groups that sponsor the writing, production and performance of original theatrical and dramatic work, as opposed to the usual performance of well-known musicals and plays. These original works often involve local writers who have a strong sense of the community in which they work, and whose work touches on themes relevant to community-based audiences.
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Venues :: Theatre
The Welsh Love Theatre -- Just Not The Professional Kind
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:49:15 -0800
For National Theatre of Wales artistic director John McGrath, the challenge "is to build an audience for the NTW in a country that has a long tradition of amateur performance, but one of the lowest attendance rates at professional theatre in the UK. McGrath thinks the answer is to make theatre in, and with, those communities. "...
Did A New York Times Ad Deal Doom Neil Simon Plays?
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:12:35 -0800
"The Times offered the producers of 'Brighton Beach' several weeks worth of splashy ads in the paper and on its Web site at steep discounts, production sources say." But there was a catch. "'Brighton Beach' couldn't advertise anywhere else until after opening night."...
West End Adaptation Of Shawshank Redemption To Close Three Months Early
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:14:44 -0800
"The show premiered in the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin earlier this year before opening in London on September 4. It was due to close on February 14, however will now end its run on November 29. It will embark on an UK tour next year, which will culminate in Dublin."...
Why Its New Theatrical Behemoth Is A Boon For Britain
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:57:35 -0800
"It's hard to see the acquisition of Live Nation's theatres by the Ambassador Theatre Group as anything other than good news," despite concerns that ATG is now too powerful. The group's "record suggests that [it is] not likely to achieve success by dumbing down."...
Northern Calif.'s Willows Theatre Company To Shutter
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:37:27 -0800
"In September, the board of the 34-year-old company said that as a result of lackluster ticket sales and outstanding debt, they needed to raise $350,000 by Nov. 1 or the Willows would close." Emergency fund-raisers weren't enough to save it....
Transsexual Jesus Play Draws 300 Protesters In Glasgow
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:32:18 -0800
Glasgay! arts festival organizers said "Jesus Queen of Heaven," written and performed by transsexual playwright Jo Clifford, "had not intended to incite or offend anyone. The Christian protesters gathered outside the theatre ahead of the opening night of the production on Tuesday."...
Community Theater Green Room - Interactive site devoted to the art of community. Features original articles and tips about all aspects of community theatre production.
Meta Description: [ Community theater resource for actors, directors, board members and crew, featuring original articles, how-to's and humor about acting, directing, theater management, props, set design, playreading, and more! ]
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Amateur Dramatics and Operatics Dot Com - Comprehensive on line magazine for amateur dramatics and operatics enthusiasts. Contains free classifieds, organisation listings, what's on and news.
American Association of Community Theatre - Information about events sponsored by the AACT, including a complete directory of hundreds of member organizations.
Meta Description: [ Home Page of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), a national organization for community-based nonprofit theatre companies ]
International Amateur Theatre Association - IATA is the world body of amateur theatre and has members in eighty countries on five continents.
Meta Description: [ International Amateur Theatre Association - members in 80 countries on 5 continents ]
International Players Home - Amateur theatre group presenting English language plays and musicals in the Paris area. Productions, membership information and members area.
MacAllen's Theater Guide - Articles on technical aspects of theatre and acting, links to other resources.
Meta Description: [ An overview of theatre with areas of technical, acting, writing and more ]
North European Amateur Theatre Alliance - Co-ordinating body of amateur theatre in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the Faroes.
RADA Riviera Amateur Dramatic Association - English language theatre on the French Riviera. Coming capers, past pranks and the scene.
Meta Description: [ Riviera Amateur Dramatic Association. English language theatre (theater, drama, comedy) on the French Riviera. ]
Tagora - The Council of Europe’s Amicale (staff association) theatre group. Activities, archive of photographs and details of productions. Based in Strasbourg, France.
The Company of Musical Players - A non-profit organisation that performs variety shows around Wellington, New Zealand to enable fund raising for charitable and educational purposes. Features a history of the company, current production, and audition information.
The Light Opera Group of the Negev - LOGON - A non-profit organization of enthusiastic amateur singers and actors producing English-language musicals. Based in Beer Sheva, but performs in several towns in Israel.
Thespians Anonymous - Amateur drama group that aims to promote English language, culture and drama work in Finland. Background, members and productions.
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