Amateur theatre facts for kids
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Amateur theatre, also known as amateur dramatics, is when people perform plays, musicals, or other shows just for fun, not as a paid job. These groups might put on different kinds of shows like plays, musicals, or even funny pantomimes. They do it because they enjoy it and to be part of a community. These shows can happen in many places, from local community centers and schools to bigger professional theatres.
Amateur theatre is different from professional theatre because the performers usually don't get paid. Also, amateur actors are not typically members of actors' unions, which are groups that protect professional performers.
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What is Amateur Theatre?
The word "amateur" means someone who does something as a hobby, not for money. In theatre, it means people who perform for their own enjoyment. They might not have gone to special acting schools like professional actors.
Many amateur theatre groups don't like the word "amateur" because it can sound like they are not very good. So, they often call themselves "dramatic societies," "theatre groups," or simply "players."
Taking part in local theatre events is a fun and exciting hobby. It also provides entertainment for the community. People often make strong friendships by working together on shows.
How Amateur Theatre Connects with Professional Theatre
For a long time, professional actors didn't think much of amateur performers. But over time, they started to see that amateur groups help keep theatre and music alive. They also realized that amateur theatre can be a great place for new actors to learn and get started. Many famous professional actors actually began their careers on an amateur stage!
Today, the difference between amateur and professional theatre is not as clear. Sometimes, professional actors might perform with amateur groups. Also, some amateur groups hire professional directors to help them put on shows. Professional theatre companies even work with local amateur groups to involve the community in their big productions. For example, the Royal Shakespeare Company once invited local amateur actors to perform in their tour of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Amateur Theatre in the United Kingdom
Many people in Great Britain are involved in amateur theatre, either as performers, crew members, or audience members. For many children, their first experience seeing a live show is often an amateur Christmas pantomime.
Amateur theatre can also be a starting point for future stars! Several well-known professional actors began their acting journey in amateur theatre groups. These include Liam Neeson, Jamie Dornan, James Nesbitt, and Nathan Wright.
A survey in 2002 by a big UK amateur theatre group, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), found that many people participate. They reported that over 400,000 people were involved in performances, and over 7 million people watched these shows each year.
By 2012, there were more than 2,500 amateur theatre groups in the UK. They put on about 30,000 shows every year!
Groups that Support Amateur Theatre
Several main organizations help support amateur theatre across the UK:
- The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) was started in 1899. It supports over 2,400 amateur theatre companies that perform musicals, operas, plays, concerts, and pantomimes.
- The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain (LTG) represents over 100 independent amateur theatres. These theatres have their own buildings.
- The National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA) helps about 500 groups that take part in around 100 local drama festivals.
There are also regional groups in different parts of the UK:
- England: The All-England Theatre Festival (AETF) helps groups that participate in local drama festivals. The winners from the All-England Finals go on to represent England at the National Festival of Community Theatre.
- Scotland: The Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA), started in 1926, helps promote all kinds of community drama in Scotland.
- Wales: The Drama Association of Wales (DAW), started in 1934, helps people get involved in drama. They offer training, support new plays, and have a large library of plays and theatre books.
- Northern Ireland: The Association of Ulster Drama Festivals (AUDF), started in 1949, helps encourage amateur drama through festivals and cooperation between groups.
Major Festivals and Competitions
The UK has many local amateur theatre festivals, plus some bigger national and international ones:
- National Festival of Community Theatre – This festival is run by the four regional associations.
- British 'All Winners' Festival – This is run by the National Drama Festivals Association.
- International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival – This is a competition held in Buxton for groups performing Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
There are also several competitions across the UK:
- The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain (LTG) has a playwriting competition every two or three years.
- The National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA) has two playwriting competitions, including one for youth groups.
- The Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) has a "Play on Words" competition for new short plays.
- The Drama Association of Wales (DAW) has an annual playwriting competition for one-act plays in Welsh or English.
- The National Festival of Community Theatre gives out the Geoffrey Whitworth Trophy for the best new play performed for the first time at the festival.
Amateur Theatre in the United States
In the United States, amateur theatre is usually called community theatre. In 2009, there were 923 groups that were members of the American Association of Community Theatre.
Even though performers in community theatre are usually not paid, sometimes professional actors can appear as guest performers in a community theatre show.
Groups that Support Community Theatre
The American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) is the main group that supports community theatre in the United States. They help individuals and groups by giving advice and support. This helps community theatres put on the best possible shows for both the people performing and the audience. The AACT also holds a national theatre festival every two years.
Amateur Theatre in Australia
The Independent Theatre Association is the main group for amateur or community drama in Western Australia. Amateur theatre in Australia relies on volunteers, and very few amateur theatres pay salaries. Getting experience in amateur acting is often a good way for people who want to become professional actors to start.
Amateur Theatre in New Zealand
New Zealand also has many amateur theatre groups, often called community theatre. The main organization that supports them is called Theatre New Zealand. It was formed in 1970.
See Also
In Spanish: Teatro aficionado para niños
