Amateur theatre
Encyclopedia
Amateur 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.
Amateur Theatre is common in most urban centres
; 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
.
An amateur actor is unlikely to be a member of an Actors' Union, as most countries have strict policy in place. For example, British Actors' Equity "are pleased to welcome into Equity anyone who is currently working professionally in the field of entertainment." Actors' Equity - Britain. The Actors' Equity Association of America, likewise, states "You may join the Association by virtue of employment under an Equity contract." American Actors' Equity These rules are in place to protect the professional industry, and professional artists.
Whilst the majority of Professional stage performers have developed their skills and studied their craft at recognized training institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
(London), Juilliard School
(New York) or National Institute of Dramatic Art
(Sydney), amateurs usually lack professional training. As a result, amateurs work outside of the industry itself, in community run plays and revues, and there is very little flow from the amateur world to the professional. Most amateur actors work at non-theater professions and rehearse and perform in their spare time.
Many amateurs do provide a source of entertainment for their local communities and amateur theatre can be a fun and exciting hobby, with strong bonds of friendship formed through participation in community organized theatrical events. Many of these performers reject the "hammy" or "incompetent" label and re-label themselves as Pro Am
. Many others reject the elitism of the professional industry entirely, and are pleased to just have fun. There are amateur actors and groups who claim to strive for excellence, study their craft and take their performance as seriously as trained professionals, though opinion remains divided as to their level of success.
Scottish theatre-maker and writer Andrew Mckinnon acknowledges that "whether we like it or not, and whatever its original root meaning -- the word "amateur" now has a negative, often pejorative significance in modern English usage when it applies to theatre and art. In theatre specifically, "amateurism" is regularly used to imply muddled and botched work, low standards, lack of preparation, and so on; indeed, some amateur theatre companies in the UK, being aware of this, are even following the American usage by re- branding themselves as "community" groups. Regretfully, I believe that this is an irreversible change" but he questions the definition of "Professional" in purely financial terms and argues ""'Professional behaviour' is measured by your self- discipline, collaborative skills, level of commitment, and by your ability to solve problems creatively, making constructive use of available help and guidance. It is taken for granted that you will always be punctual and prepared and conduct yourself maturely and thoughtfully in rehearsal and performance. These are the minimum conditions for the creation of satisfactory theatre work." ( Al-Ahram Weekly 21–27 September 2006 Issue No. 813)
Mckinnon, then, makes a distinction between "amateurism" and "professionalism" in more than purely financial terms. He cites it as a difference in attitude, ability and intent.
On the other hand, amateurs continue to argue that they perform a community service.
. Amateur theatre can sometimes be a springboard for the development of new performing talent with a number of prefessional actors having their first stage experiences in amateur theatre such as Liam Neeson
(with the Slemish Players in Ballymena) and James Nesbitt
(with the Ulster Youth Theatre).
A survey carried in 2002 by the major UK umbrella organisation for amateur theatre, National Operatic and Dramatic Association
("NODA"), noted that "Public support in the UK for amateur theatre is patchy" but highlighted the activity for that year:
Further, in England alone a sample investigation of activities in five English cities and districts revealed that only 19% of amateur drama groups active there were affiliated to a national "umbrella" organisation suggesting that the figures above could be underestimating the level of grass roots, community involvement with amateur theatre.
with two major national festivals and one international festival:
is dedicated to the memory of Nan Nuttall, a long-standing Secretary of Manchester & District Drama Federation.
While the performers in Community Theatre are typically non-professional there is a provision of the Actor's Equity Association which allows up to two paid Guest Performers in a Community Theatre production.
Community Theatre organizations in the United States are eligible for non-profit status under article 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
.
Among other activities the AACT sponsors a national theatre festival called AACTFest in odd-numbered years.
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
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.
Amateur Theatre is common in most urban centres
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
; 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
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
plays, low-budget plays, and musicals
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
staged in local venues
Theater (structure)
A theater or theatre is a structure where theatrical works or plays are performed or other performances such as musical concerts may be produced. While a theater is not required for performance , a theater serves to define the performance and audience spaces...
in much of the Western World
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
.
Definition of Amateur Performers
Opinions vary on how to define "amateur" in relation to theatrical practice. Technically speaking, an "amateur" is anyone who does not accept, or is not offered, money for their services. One interpretation of this is"One lacking the skill of a professional, as in an art." http://www.answers.com/topic/amateur Another is "A person who engages in an art, science, study, or athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession." http://www.answers.com/topic/amateurAn amateur actor is unlikely to be a member of an Actors' Union, as most countries have strict policy in place. For example, British Actors' Equity "are pleased to welcome into Equity anyone who is currently working professionally in the field of entertainment." Actors' Equity - Britain. The Actors' Equity Association of America, likewise, states "You may join the Association by virtue of employment under an Equity contract." American Actors' Equity These rules are in place to protect the professional industry, and professional artists.
Whilst the majority of Professional stage performers have developed their skills and studied their craft at recognized training institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is a drama school located in London, United Kingdom. It is generally regarded as one of the most renowned drama schools in the world, and is one of the oldest drama schools in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1904.RADA is an affiliate school of the...
(London), Juilliard School
Juilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
(New York) or National Institute of Dramatic Art
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The National Institute of Dramatic Art is an Australian national training institute for students of theatre, film, and television, based in the Sydney suburb of Kensington. It is supported by the federal Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. NIDA is located adjacent...
(Sydney), amateurs usually lack professional training. As a result, amateurs work outside of the industry itself, in community run plays and revues, and there is very little flow from the amateur world to the professional. Most amateur actors work at non-theater professions and rehearse and perform in their spare time.
Many amateurs do provide a source of entertainment for their local communities and amateur theatre can be a fun and exciting hobby, with strong bonds of friendship formed through participation in community organized theatrical events. Many of these performers reject the "hammy" or "incompetent" label and re-label themselves as Pro Am
Professional amateurs
Amateur professionalism or professional amateurism is a socioeconomic concept that describes a blurring of the distinction between professional and amateur within any endeavour or attainable skill that could be labelled professional, whether it is in the field of writing, computer...
. Many others reject the elitism of the professional industry entirely, and are pleased to just have fun. There are amateur actors and groups who claim to strive for excellence, study their craft and take their performance as seriously as trained professionals, though opinion remains divided as to their level of success.
Scottish theatre-maker and writer Andrew Mckinnon acknowledges that "whether we like it or not, and whatever its original root meaning -- the word "amateur" now has a negative, often pejorative significance in modern English usage when it applies to theatre and art. In theatre specifically, "amateurism" is regularly used to imply muddled and botched work, low standards, lack of preparation, and so on; indeed, some amateur theatre companies in the UK, being aware of this, are even following the American usage by re- branding themselves as "community" groups. Regretfully, I believe that this is an irreversible change" but he questions the definition of "Professional" in purely financial terms and argues ""'Professional behaviour' is measured by your self- discipline, collaborative skills, level of commitment, and by your ability to solve problems creatively, making constructive use of available help and guidance. It is taken for granted that you will always be punctual and prepared and conduct yourself maturely and thoughtfully in rehearsal and performance. These are the minimum conditions for the creation of satisfactory theatre work." ( Al-Ahram Weekly 21–27 September 2006 Issue No. 813)
Mckinnon, then, makes a distinction between "amateurism" and "professionalism" in more than purely financial terms. He cites it as a difference in attitude, ability and intent.
Relationship between Amateurs and Professionals in Theatre
The relationship between amateurs and professionals in a theatrical context is the subject of debate in many countries. Professionals argue that the amateur community devalues the art form and damages the industry, through the promotion of unskilled performers, directors and crew. By drawing an audience that would otherwise pay for high-quality, professional theatre it has been argued that amateurs hurt the industry as a whole. Their inability to attract new writers and new work highlights this. In his article, 'The Amateur Theatre in Great Britain', Edwin R. Schoell notes that "There is, particularly in professional quarters, a deep-rooted suspicion that amateur theatre is really an institution that exists in order to give significance to "amateur dramatics" a frivolous kind of amusement with no pretention to art" or "as a base for starring the most popular and politically astute members" (Educational Theatre Journal, Vol. 15, No. 2 (May, 1963), pp. 151–157)On the other hand, amateurs continue to argue that they perform a community service.
Parody
- A satirical view of amateur performers appears in the movie Hot FuzzHot FuzzHot Fuzz is a 2007 British action dark comedy film written by Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, and starring Pegg and Nick Frost. The three had previously worked together on the 2004 film Shaun of the Dead as well as the television series Spaced...
, where Simon PeggSimon PeggSimon Pegg is an English actor, comedian, writer, film producer, and director. He is best known for having co-written and stared in various Edgar Wright features, mainly Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and the comedy series Spaced.He also portrayed Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the 2009 Star Trek film...
and Nick FrostNick FrostNicholas John "Nick" Frost is an English actor, comedian and screenwriter. He is best known for his work with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg in the role of Mike Watt in the television comedy Spaced, as well as the film characters Ed in Shaun of the Dead, PC/Sgt...
sit through a tedious amateur version of Romeo and JulietRomeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
closely modelled on the Baz LuhrmannBaz LuhrmannMark Anthony "Baz" Luhrmann is an Australian film director, screenwriter, and producer best known for The Red Curtain Trilogy, which includes his films Strictly Ballroom, William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!...
film version starring Leonardo DiCaprioLeonardo DiCaprioLeonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. He has received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator , and has been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television...
and Claire DanesClaire DanesClaire Catherine Danes is an American actress of television, stage and film. She has appeared in roles as diverse as Angela Chase in My So-Called Life, as Juliet in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, as Kate Brewster in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, as Yvaine in Stardust and as Temple Grandin in...
. Later, the leads are murdered for being, what the killer calls "appalling actors."
- In the movie Along Came PollyAlong Came PollyAlong Came Polly is a 2004 American romantic comedy film written and directed by John Hamburg, starring Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston in the lead roles.-Plot:...
, Philip Seymour HoffmanPhilip Seymour HoffmanPhilip Seymour Hoffman is an American actor and director. Hoffman began acting in television in 1991, and the following year started to appear in films...
plays an egotistical actor who wants to play every role in an amateur version of Jesus Christ SuperstarJesus Christ SuperstarJesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
. When the other actors refuse, he calls them "a bunch of amateurs" to which Ben StillerBen StillerBenjamin Edward "Ben" Stiller is an American comedian, actor, writer, film director, and producer. He is the son of veteran comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara....
replies, "Isn't that the point of amateur theatre"?
Amateur Theatre in the United Kingdom
People throughout Great Britain participate in amateur theatre as performers, crew or audience members and many children first experience live theatre during local amateur performances of the annual Christmas pantomimePantomime
Pantomime — not to be confused with a mime artist, a theatrical performer of mime—is a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, India, Ireland, Gibraltar and Malta, and is mostly performed during the...
. Amateur theatre can sometimes be a springboard for the development of new performing talent with a number of prefessional actors having their first stage experiences in amateur theatre such as Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson
Liam John Neeson, OBE is an Irish actor who has been nominated for an Oscar, a BAFTA and three Golden Globe Awards.He has starred in a number of notable roles including Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List, Michael Collins in Michael Collins, Peyton Westlake in Darkman, Jean Valjean in Les...
(with the Slemish Players in Ballymena) and James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor. Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Nesbitt grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane, before moving to Coleraine, County Londonderry. He wanted to become a teacher like his father, so he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster...
(with the Ulster Youth Theatre).
A survey carried in 2002 by the major UK umbrella organisation for amateur theatre, National Operatic and Dramatic Association
National Operatic and Dramatic Association
NODA has a membership of 2500 amateur theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to tiny village halls.Founded in 1899,...
("NODA"), noted that "Public support in the UK for amateur theatre is patchy" but highlighted the activity for that year:
- The total annual turnover of NODA-affiliated amateur theatre groups is £34 million.
- The total number of performances given per year is 25,760.
- The total number of people attending performances per year is 7,315,840.
- The total number of people actively involved is 437,800. 29% of these are under 21.
Further, in England alone a sample investigation of activities in five English cities and districts revealed that only 19% of amateur drama groups active there were affiliated to a national "umbrella" organisation suggesting that the figures above could be underestimating the level of grass roots, community involvement with amateur theatre.
Umbrella Organisations and Associations
- United Kingdom - There are three major bodies representing amateur theatre with a UK-wide remit all of which are self-financing:
- National Operatic and Dramatic AssociationNational Operatic and Dramatic AssociationNODA has a membership of 2500 amateur theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to tiny village halls.Founded in 1899,...
("NODA"); - Little Theatre Guild of Great BritainLittle Theatre Guild of Great BritainThe Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain is an Umbrella organisation promoting and supporting independent amateur theatre companies which have control over their own premises and produce drama of a high quality for the benefit of their communities...
("LTG"); and - National Drama Festivals AssociationNational Drama Festivals AssociationThe National Drama Festivals Association was formed in 1964 to encourage and support amateur theatre in all its forms and in particular through the organisation of drama festivals in the United Kingdom....
("NDFA")
- National Operatic and Dramatic Association
- NODA is the major infrastructure body for amateur and community theatre in the UK. It was founded in 1899, and in 2005 reported a membership of over 2,400 amateur theatre companies and 3,000 individuals throughout the United Kingdom, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country's leading professional theatres to village halls.
- The Little Theatre Guild (LTG), which represents amateur companies which control their own premises, has 95 members located in England.
- The National Drama Festival Association caters for amateur theatre groups which participate in local drama festivals, and is concerned with around 100 festivals of one-act and full length plays, involving some 500 or more theatre companies. Please see "Major Festivals" below.
- England - There is no dedicated and publicly funded infrastructure body in EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Amateur theatre in England is represented to an extent by:- All-England Theatre FestivalAll-England Theatre FestivalThe All-England Theatre Festival organises the only country-wide eliminating contest for one-act plays in performance throughout England. It provides an opportunity for Amateurs to compete against like-minded groups and to benefit from the adjudication they receive to improve the quality of their...
("AETF").
- All-England Theatre Festival
- Like the National Drama Festival Association, the AETF caters for amateur theatre groups which participate in local drama festivals, and is also concerned with a similar number of festivals of one-act and full length plays, involving a similar amount of theatre companies. The AETF hold All-England Finals, the winners of which go forward to represent England at the National Festival of Community TheatreNational Festival of Community Theatre-History:The NFCT, established in 1927, is a celebration of amateur theatre at local, national and UK level. Each year, the national amateur organisations in the home nations promote a series of one-act play festivals and, through various eliminating rounds, take part in the final stage, the...
along with representatives from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please see "Major Festivals" below. English amateur theatre is of course eligible to be represented by the UK-wide organisations. As at January 2005, the Arts Council EnglandArts Council EnglandArts Council England was formed in 1994 when the Arts Council of Great Britain was divided into three separate bodies for England, Scotland and Wales. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport...
was not providing any funding towards infrastructure organisations for amateur and community theatre, other than youth theatre through its support for the National Association of Youth Theatre. However, despite there being national umbrella organisations, a sample investigation of activities in five English cities and districts revealed that only 19% of amateur drama groups active there were affiliated to a national "umbrella" organisation. In addition, England has a number of major regional associations such as:-
- The Avon Association of Drama
- The Woking Drama Association
- The Somerset Fellowship of Drama
-
- Scotland - The situation is very different in Scotland from that in England. It has its own long-standing representative body, the Scottish Community Drama Association ("SCDA") which was founded in 1926 and works to promote all aspects of community drama in Scotland. SCDA received funding of £50,000 from the Scottish Arts CouncilScottish Arts CouncilThe Scottish Arts Council is a Scottish public body that distributes funding from the Scottish Government, and is the leading national organisation for the funding, development and promotion of the arts in Scotland...
in 2004-05.
- Wales - Like Scotland it has its own long-standing representative body, the Drama Association of WalesDrama Association of WalesThe Drama Association of Wales was founded in 1934, a registered charity since 1973 and was core funded by the Arts Council of Wales from 1974 to 2011. The function of DAW is to increase opportunities for people in the community to be creatively involved in drama...
("DAW"). The function of DAW is to increase opportunities for people in the community to be creatively involved in drama. This is supported through the provision of training, new writing initiatives and access to an extensive specialist lending library containing plays, playsets and technical theatre books.
- Northern Ireland - The situation in Northern Ireland is similar to that of England, with the only major umbrella organisation being one concerned with the major festival of the region. The association is the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals ("AUDF") and is made up of three representatives from each member Festival - Ballymoney, Bangor, City of Derry, Theatre Upstairs (Downpatrick), Castlereagh,Enniskillen, Larne, Mid-Ulster (Carrickmore), Moneyglass, Newry, Newtownabbey, Portadown, Strabane and Newtownstewart. The Churches Drama League enjoys full membership, while the Young Farmer Clubs of Ulster are Associate Members. It does agree matters of general policy but ancourages member Festivals to develop their own unique "personalities"). Its leading role is to organise this annual Ulster Drama Festival, bringing together winners from provincial festivals and companies from both North and South of Ireland in friendly rivalry. The AUDF Constitution, drawn up in 1949, includes the following aims: "to foster and encourage amateur drama through the holding of Festivals of Drama, the fostering of relations and co-operation between Ulster Drama Festivals, and the fostering of relations with similar organisations in Northern Ireland and other regions…"
Major Festivals in the UK
There are many local festivals of amateur theatre within the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with two major national festivals and one international festival:
- National Festival of Community TheatreNational Festival of Community Theatre-History:The NFCT, established in 1927, is a celebration of amateur theatre at local, national and UK level. Each year, the national amateur organisations in the home nations promote a series of one-act play festivals and, through various eliminating rounds, take part in the final stage, the...
– run by four partners, the All-England Theatre FestivalAll-England Theatre FestivalThe All-England Theatre Festival organises the only country-wide eliminating contest for one-act plays in performance throughout England. It provides an opportunity for Amateurs to compete against like-minded groups and to benefit from the adjudication they receive to improve the quality of their...
(AETF), the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals (AUDF), the Drama Association of Wales (DAW), and the Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA); - British ‘All Winners’ FestivalNational Drama Festivals AssociationThe National Drama Festivals Association was formed in 1964 to encourage and support amateur theatre in all its forms and in particular through the organisation of drama festivals in the United Kingdom....
run by the National Drama Festivals AssociationNational Drama Festivals AssociationThe National Drama Festivals Association was formed in 1964 to encourage and support amateur theatre in all its forms and in particular through the organisation of drama festivals in the United Kingdom....
; and - International Gilbert and Sullivan FestivalInternational Gilbert and Sullivan FestivalThe International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival is held every summer at the Opera House in Buxton, Derbyshire, England. The three-week Festival of Gilbert and Sullivan performances and fringe events attracts thousands of visitors, including performers, supporters, and G&S enthusiasts from all...
– an adjudicated competition in BuxtonBuxtonBuxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, England. It has the highest elevation of any market town in England. Located close to the county boundary with Cheshire to the west and Staffordshire to the south, Buxton is described as "the gateway to the Peak District National Park"...
among about 15 amateur producing societies over a three-week period each summer (professional shows on weekends).
Competitions in the UK
There a number of UK wide competitions that are organised by different bodies:- The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain (LTG) - Playwriting competition.
- These are run every two to three years.
- The National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA) - playwriting competitions:
- There are two competitions, both of which aim to promote new writing for the theatre. Adjudication is carried out by a panel of judges and the winners receive a certificate and a cash prize.
- George Taylor Memorial Award
- The George Taylor Memorial Award was initiated in 1979, dedicated to the memory of the founder of Amateur Stage, the major magazine for Amateur and Community Theatre. The award is funded jointly by Amateur Stage and NDFA.
- Nan Nuttall Memorial Award - specifically for Youth Theatre
- This was introduced in 1994 to stimulate new writing for Youth Groups and to encourage their participation in Drama Festivals. It
is dedicated to the memory of Nan Nuttall, a long-standing Secretary of Manchester & District Drama Federation.
- The Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) - Play on Words
- The "Play on Words" competition is Britain’s largest competition for new short plays. The top three entrants to Play on Words win professional support from professional writers.
- The Amateur Musical Theatre Challenge - Scotland
- The competition will run throughout Scotland for the first time in 2009. Its aims are to bring together amateur theatre groups both large and small from across Scotland who have a passion for performing and allow them to showcase their talent.
- Drama Association of Wales/Cymdeithas Ddrama Cymru (DAW) - Playwriting
- This is a competition for one-act plays written either in Welsh or English and with a running time of 20 to 50 minutes. It is an annual event and attracts 250 entries from all over the world. In some years, entries are invited under a specific theme.
- National Festival of Community TheatreNational Festival of Community Theatre-History:The NFCT, established in 1927, is a celebration of amateur theatre at local, national and UK level. Each year, the national amateur organisations in the home nations promote a series of one-act play festivals and, through various eliminating rounds, take part in the final stage, the...
- The Geoffrey Whitworth Trophy
- This is organised by the same committee which run the National Festival of Community TheatreNational Festival of Community Theatre-History:The NFCT, established in 1927, is a celebration of amateur theatre at local, national and UK level. Each year, the national amateur organisations in the home nations promote a series of one-act play festivals and, through various eliminating rounds, take part in the final stage, the...
. The award is for "the best original unpublished play receiving its première in the first round of the National Festival of Community Theatre anywhere in the UK". The award is named for Geoffrey WhitworthGeoffrey WhitworthGeoffrey Arundel Whitworth CBE was an English lecturer and author who sought to promote amateur and professional theatre through the formation of the British Drama League, acting as its director for many years. Whitworth was instrumental in the founding of a National Theatre, and served the...
(1883–1951) the founder of the British Drama League.
Amateur Theatre in the United States
In the United States Amateur Theatre is generally known as Community Theatre. As of January 27, 2009 there are 923 member organizations of the American Association of Community Theatre. Membership in this organization is voluntary so the actual number of community theatre organizations in the United States is uncertain.While the performers in Community Theatre are typically non-professional there is a provision of the Actor's Equity Association which allows up to two paid Guest Performers in a Community Theatre production.
Community Theatre organizations in the United States are eligible for non-profit status under article 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
Internal Revenue Code
The Internal Revenue Code is the domestic portion of Federal statutory tax law in the United States, published in various volumes of the United States Statutes at Large, and separately as Title 26 of the United States Code...
.
History of Community Theatre
The origins of Community Theatre in the United States are not well documented. A history of Community Theatre in the United States is available on the website of the American Association of Community Theatre.Umbrella Organizations
The American Association of Community Theatre is the major umbrella association for community theatre in the United States. According to their website:
The mission of the American Association of Community Theatre is to foster and encourage the development of, and commitment to, the highest standards by community theatres, including standards of excellence for production, management, governance, community relations and service.
Among other activities the AACT sponsors a national theatre festival called AACTFest in odd-numbered years.
See also
- Beeston Musical Theatre GroupBeeston Musical Theatre GroupBeeston Musical Theatre Group , based at Beeston, Nottinghamshire, are an amateur, non-profit organisation that perform musical shows and concerts at venues in and around Nottingham, UK.- History :...
- National Operatic and Dramatic AssociationNational Operatic and Dramatic AssociationNODA has a membership of 2500 amateur theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to tiny village halls.Founded in 1899,...
- Community theatreCommunity theatreCommunity theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community...
- The Naples Players
- Tideswell Community PlayersTideswell Community PlayersTideswell Community Players, the amateur theatre group of Tideswell in the Peak District, United Kingdom was formed in 1929. They performed their first play, Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure, by Walter Hackett in 1930. Their first logo was the woodblock print pictured.First performing at The...