31:
127:, professionals recognised that the amateur societies "support the culture of music and the drama. They are now accepted as useful training schools for the legitimate stage, and from the volunteer ranks have sprung many present-day favourites." Amateurs continue to argue that they perform a community service, while even in the 1960s, there was still, "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" Nevertheless, many professional actors established their craft on the amateur stage.
373:
431:
131:
Amateur theatre is sometimes referred to in the UK as "non-commercial theatre". In recent times the distinction between 'amateur' and 'professional' has been blurred further, with professional companies encouraging community involvement in their productions through using local amateur companies. An example of this is the Royal
Shakespeare Company's 2016 tour of
144:
231:("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 number of theatre companies. The AETF hold All-England Finals, the winners of which go forward to represent England at the
446:. Australian amateur theatre is dependent on volunteer effort and very few amateur theatres pay salaries, although some employ cleaners. Amateur acting experience is highly sought as an entry point for aspiring professionals. The annual Finley awards celebrate the achievements of theatres in several categories.
277:("DAW"), founded in 1934, exists 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.
284:
The
Association of Ulster Drama Festivals ("AUDF") and is made up of three representatives from each member festival, as well as the Churches Drama League and Young Farmer Clubs. Founded in 1949 it aims "to foster and encourage amateur drama through the holding of Festivals of Drama, the fostering of
104:
Amateur theatre (amateur dramatics) can be defined as "theatre performances in which the people involved are not paid but take part for their own enjoyment". Locally organised theatrical events provide a source of entertainment for the community, and can be a fun and exciting hobby, with strong bonds
78:
Opinions vary on how to define "amateur" in relation to theatre. 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". Another is: "A person who engages in
130:
After 1988, in the UK, membership in the actors' Equity union can no longer be made compulsory, and professional performers may perform with any amateur company. Some amateur companies engage professional directors. These changes are blurring the distinction between amateur and professional theatre.
421:
The
American Association of Community Theatre is the major umbrella association for community theatre in the United States. According to their website: "AACT is a nonprofit corporation that serves both individuals and organizations by providing expertise, assistance and support so that community
62:
actors and singers. Amateur theatre groups may stage plays, revues, musicals, light opera, pantomime or variety shows, and do so for the social activity as well as for aesthetic values. Productions may take place in venues ranging from the open air, community centres, or schools to independent or
352:
Drama
Association of Wales/Cymdeithas Ddrama Cymru (DAW) - Playwriting competition for one-act plays 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
186:
An earlier, limited survey in
England in 1991 revealed that only 19% of amateur drama groups were affiliated to a national "umbrella" organisation, suggesting that NODA's later survey may not reflect the true level of grass roots community involvement with amateur theatre.
183:("NODA"), noted that "Public support in the UK for amateur theatre is patchy", but found that the annual turnover of affiliated groups was ÂŁ34 million from 25,760 performances with 437,800 participants, 29% of whom were under 21; attendances were 7,315,840.
922:
246:
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. Other associations include Avon Association of Drama,
202:("NODA") was founded in 1899 and in 2005 reported a membership of over 2,400 amateur theatre companies and 3,000 individuals staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in venues ranging from professional theatres to village halls.
105:
of friendship formed through participation. Many amateur theatre groups reject the "amateur" label and its negative association with "amateurish", preferring to style themselves "dramatic societies", "theatre groups" or just "players".
399:. In 2009 there were 923 member organizations of the American Association of Community Theatre. Membership in this organisation is voluntary, making the actual number of community theatre organisations in the USA uncertain.
155:
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
913:
108:
Scottish theatre-maker and writer Andrew
Mckinnon in 2006 observed that the word 'amateur' has a negative connotation. Many amateur groups are therefore re-branding themselves as 'community' groups.
341:
Nan
Nuttall Memorial Award (1994) to stimulate new writing for Youth Groups and encourage participation in Drama Festivals (in memory of a Secretary of Manchester & District Drama Federation.
160:. Amateur theatre can sometimes be a springboard for the development of new performing talent with a number of professional actors having their first stage experiences in amateur theatre such as
422:
theatres can provide the best possible theatrical experience for participants and audience alike." Among other activities the AACT sponsors a national theatre festival in odd-numbered years.
30:
251:, Somerset Fellowship of Drama, Spalding Amateur Dramatic And Operatic Society and the Greater Manchester Drama Federation ("GMDF") which holds annual festivals with 60+ active members.
346:
The
Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) - "Play on Words" competition, Britain’s largest for new short plays, with three best entries winning support from professional writers.
135:: in each of the 14 cities visited by the touring show, the company recruited local members of amateur companies to play the parts of Nick Bottom and the other Mechanicals.
119:
and Cunningham Bridgeman wrote, in 1914, that prior to the late 19th century, amateur actors were treated with contempt by professionals. After the formation of amateur
818:
285:
relations and co-operation between Ulster Drama Festivals, and the fostering of relations with similar organisations in Northern Ireland and other regions ..."
309:
82:
An amateur actor is unlikely to be a member of an actors' union as most countries' trades unions have strict policies in place. In the United States, the
481:
199:
180:
372:
89:
While the majority of professional stage performers have developed their skills and studied their craft at recognised training institutions such as the
363:) for "the best original unpublished play receiving its première in the first round of the National Festival of Community Theatre anywhere in the UK".
709:
464:
There are many amateur theatre societies in New Zealand where it is often referred to as community theatre. The umbrella organization is called
356:
297:
232:
206:
1099:
832:
861:
304:
259:
210:
599:
520:
1241:
1071:
98:
735:
262:("SCDA"), founded in 1926, works to promote all aspects of community drama in Scotland. SCDA received funding of ÂŁ50,000 from the
573:
403:
90:
83:
995:"Commissioning new work – A good practice guide for amateur theatre companies and playwrights - The Arts Council England"
469:
228:
994:
293:
There are many local festivals of amateur theatre within the UK and two major national and one international festival:
468:(formally the New Zealand Theatre Federation) and was formed in 1970 out of a merger of the New Zealand branch of the
800:
331:
The National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA) - two playwriting competitions with a certificate and cash prize -
274:
406:
which allows up to two paid professional actors to appear as guest performers in a community theatre production.
380:
Club of St. Louis are sketched rehearsing for an all-woman amateur benefit performance of George Bernard Shaw's "
1273:
248:
1055:
449:
A Workers' Education Dramatic Society and student counterpart was active in Brisbane between 1930 and 1962.
39:
761:
384:" in December 1908. No men were allowed in the rehearsals or at the performance. The illustration is by
328:
The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain (LTG) - Playwriting competition, run every two to three years.
263:
209:("LTG") represents over 100 independent amateur theatres with auditoria from 64 to 450 seats, while the
173:
625:
430:
190:
In 2012 there were more than 2,500 amateur theatre groups putting on around 30,000 productions a year.
402:
While the performers in community theatre are typically non-professional, there is a provision of the
349:
The Amateur Musical Theatre Challenge (2009) - to bring together amateur theatre groups from Scotland.
1117:"Why a Non-Profit Theater Company - Community Theater Green Room -- Why a NonProfit Theater Company?"
453:
360:
243:
120:
70:
because performers are usually not paid. Amateur actors are not typically members of actors' unions.
465:
116:
1116:
1096:
840:
872:
1237:
812:
603:
524:
486:
443:
439:
396:
385:
67:
213:("NDFA") caters for some 500 groups participating in around 100 local drama festivals. (See "
1072:"Member Organization search of the website of the American Association of Community Theatre"
912:
381:
94:
1075:
914:"Class act: The amateur-dramatics societies that could give the pros a run for their money"
1103:
79:
an art, science, study, or athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession".
1025:
1267:
672:
Cochrane, "The Pervasiveness of the Commonplace: The Historian and Amateur Theatre",
377:
169:
179:
A survey carried in 2002 by the major UK umbrella organisation for amateur theatre,
165:
577:
235:
along with representatives from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please see "
1185:
409:
Community theatre organisations are eligible for non-profit status under article
17:
1026:"Information for all Participating Groups for 35th BRITISH ALL WINNERS FESTIVAL"
551:
161:
124:
86:
serves a similar purpose: to protect the professional industry and its artists.
1039:
472:(established in 1932) and the New Zealand Drama Council (established in 1945).
324:
There a number of UK wide competitions that are organised by different bodies:
1134:
1106:". Actors' Equity Association. actorsequity.org. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
1001:
157:
1253:
1206:
944:
1258:
1056:
Marguerite Martyn, "College Girls Swear Real Swears in "Arms and Man,"
965:
546:
501:
59:
55:
34:
1149:
143:
1207:"British Drama League. New Zealand Branch Inc : Further records"
410:
313:
438:
The Independent Theatre Association is the peak body for amateur or
801:"House of Commons - Culture, Media and Sport - Minutes of Evidence"
496:
491:
429:
371:
142:
29:
198:
Of the major bodies representing amateur theatre nationally, the
690:. Educational Theatre Journal, Vol. 15, No. 2. pp. 151–157.
334:
George Taylor Memorial Award (1979) in memory of the founder of
769:
710:"Don't underestimate amateur theatre as a source of training"
662:. London: Sir Isaac Pitman & sons, ltd. pp. 393–394.
395:
In the United States, amateur theatre is generally known as
101:(Sydney), amateurs are not usually professionally trained.
1164:
1152:. American Association of Community Theatre. aact.org.
1137:. American Association of Community Theatre. aact.org.
66:
Amateur theatre is distinct from the professional or
658:Cellier, François and Cunningham Bridgeman (1914).
359:- The Geoffrey Whitworth Trophy (founder of the
133:A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Play for the Nation
968:. Association of Ulster Drama Festivals History
27:Theatre performed by amateur actors and singers
864:ART FORM AND SPECIALIST AREA POLICY 2007-2012
220:There are regional bodies throughout the UK.
8:
1186:"A history of political theatre in Brisbane"
817:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
413:of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
338:, funded jointly by Amateur Stage and NDFA.
310:International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival
37:Amateur Dramatic Society's presentation of
794:
792:
790:
788:
786:
482:National Operatic and Dramatic Association
303:British 'All Winners' Festival run by the
200:National Operatic and Dramatic Association
181:National Operatic and Dramatic Association
799:Commons, The Committee Office, House of.
147:Beeston Musical Theatre Group performing
703:
701:
699:
697:
626:"Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary"
833:"Ballymoney Drama Festival | Programme"
512:
300:– run by the four regional associations
989:
987:
985:
983:
810:
648:, 21–27 September 2006, Issue No. 813.
357:National Festival of Community Theatre
298:National Festival of Community Theatre
233:National Festival of Community Theatre
896:Hutchinson, R & Feist, A (1991).
660:Gilbert and Sullivan and Their Operas
207:Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain
7:
1234:The Methuen Amateur Theatre Handbook
305:National Drama Festivals Association
260:Scottish Community Drama Association
211:National Drama Festivals Association
112:Relationship to professional theatre
1135:"AACT's Mission & Purpose"
1040:"FEATS 2007 Technical Data Package"
911:Holly Williams (11 November 2012).
862:"Arts Council of Northern Ireland,
521:"Actors' Equity - Responsibilities"
434:Roxy Community Theatre, Leeton, NSW
1097:Agreements and Codes: Guest Artist
1060:December 13, 1908,, Part 6, Page 1
168:(Holywood Players in Ballymoney),
123:companies licensed to perform the
99:National Institute of Dramatic Art
25:
1165:"Independent Theatre Association"
312:– an adjudicated competition in
164:(Slemish Players in Ballymena),
1211:National Library of New Zealand
925:from the original on 2012-11-14
736:"Am-dram is a serious business"
686:Schoell, Edwin R. (May 1963).
674:Theatre Research International
1:
91:Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
63:major professional theatres.
1154:Retrieved 14 June 2017.
1139:Retrieved 14 June 2017.
708:Susan Elkin (16 June 2014).
600:"Actors' Equity Association"
229:All-England Theatre Festival
151:in Nottingham, England, 2011
900:. Policy Studies Institute.
172:(Ulster Youth Theatre) and
1290:
805:publications.parliament.uk
734:Jane Scott (11 May 2011).
688:Amateur Theatre in Britain
404:Actors' Equity Association
275:Drama Association of Wales
84:Actors' Equity Association
1254:Amateur Theatre Directory
866:, published January 2007"
1121:www.communitytheater.org
1058:St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
454:List of amateur theatres
390:St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
249:Woking Drama Association
242:As of January 2005, the
1236:. Methuen Drama, 2002.
760:www.rsc.org.uk, RSC -.
547:"Answers.com - Amateur"
1259:Amateur Stage Magazine
945:"Little Theatre Guild"
898:Amateur Arts in the UK
435:
417:Umbrella organisations
392:
194:Umbrella organisations
152:
44:
433:
375:
264:Scottish Arts Council
146:
139:In the United Kingdom
33:
766:www.dream2016.org.uk
470:British Drama League
368:In the United States
361:British Drama League
244:Arts Council England
121:Gilbert and Sullivan
837:ballymoneydramafest
606:on 18 November 2014
580:on 26 December 2010
466:Theatre New Zealand
1232:Keith Arrowsmith,
1102:2009-03-15 at the
436:
393:
153:
45:
487:Community theatre
444:Western Australia
397:community theatre
386:Marguerite Martyn
68:community theatre
52:amateur dramatics
18:Amateur dramatics
16:(Redirected from
1281:
1221:
1220:
1218:
1217:
1203:
1197:
1196:
1194:
1192:
1182:
1176:
1175:
1173:
1171:
1161:
1155:
1153:
1150:"Festival Cycle"
1146:
1140:
1138:
1131:
1125:
1124:
1113:
1107:
1093:
1087:
1086:
1084:
1083:
1074:. Archived from
1068:
1062:
1053:
1047:
1046:
1044:
1036:
1030:
1029:
1022:
1016:
1015:
1013:
1012:
1006:
1000:. Archived from
999:
991:
978:
977:
975:
973:
962:
956:
955:
953:
951:
941:
935:
934:
932:
930:
916:
908:
902:
901:
893:
887:
886:
884:
883:
877:
871:. Archived from
870:
858:
852:
851:
849:
848:
843:on 31 March 2022
839:. Archived from
829:
823:
822:
816:
808:
796:
781:
780:
778:
777:
768:. Archived from
757:
751:
750:
748:
746:
731:
725:
724:
722:
720:
705:
692:
691:
683:
677:
670:
664:
663:
655:
649:
643:
637:
636:
634:
632:
622:
616:
615:
613:
611:
602:. Archived from
596:
590:
589:
587:
585:
576:. Archived from
570:
564:
563:
561:
559:
543:
537:
536:
534:
532:
523:. Archived from
517:
382:Arms and the Man
281:Northern Ireland
117:François Cellier
95:Juilliard School
50:, also known as
40:See How They Run
21:
1289:
1288:
1284:
1283:
1282:
1280:
1279:
1278:
1274:Amateur theatre
1264:
1263:
1250:
1229:
1227:Further reading
1224:
1215:
1213:
1205:
1204:
1200:
1190:
1188:
1184:
1183:
1179:
1169:
1167:
1163:
1162:
1158:
1148:
1147:
1143:
1133:
1132:
1128:
1115:
1114:
1110:
1104:Wayback Machine
1094:
1090:
1081:
1079:
1070:
1069:
1065:
1054:
1050:
1042:
1038:
1037:
1033:
1024:
1023:
1019:
1010:
1008:
1004:
997:
993:
992:
981:
971:
969:
966:"AUDF: History"
964:
963:
959:
949:
947:
943:
942:
938:
928:
926:
919:The Independent
910:
909:
905:
895:
894:
890:
881:
879:
875:
868:
860:
859:
855:
846:
844:
831:
830:
826:
809:
798:
797:
784:
775:
773:
759:
758:
754:
744:
742:
733:
732:
728:
718:
716:
707:
706:
695:
685:
684:
680:
671:
667:
657:
656:
652:
646:Al-Ahram Weekly
644:
640:
630:
628:
624:
623:
619:
609:
607:
598:
597:
593:
583:
581:
572:
571:
567:
557:
555:
545:
544:
540:
530:
528:
519:
518:
514:
510:
478:
462:
428:
419:
370:
322:
291:
289:Major festivals
283:
272:
257:
237:Major Festivals
226:
215:Major Festivals
196:
141:
114:
76:
48:Amateur theatre
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1287:
1285:
1277:
1276:
1266:
1265:
1262:
1261:
1256:
1249:
1248:External links
1246:
1245:
1244:
1242:978-0413755704
1228:
1225:
1223:
1222:
1198:
1177:
1156:
1141:
1126:
1108:
1088:
1063:
1048:
1031:
1017:
979:
957:
936:
903:
888:
853:
824:
782:
752:
726:
693:
678:
665:
650:
638:
617:
591:
565:
538:
527:on 2 June 2018
511:
509:
506:
505:
504:
499:
494:
489:
484:
477:
474:
461:
460:In New Zealand
458:
456:in Australia.
427:
424:
418:
415:
376:Actors of the
369:
366:
365:
364:
354:
350:
347:
344:
343:
342:
339:
329:
321:
318:
317:
316:
307:
301:
290:
287:
195:
192:
140:
137:
113:
110:
97:(New York) or
75:
72:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1286:
1275:
1272:
1271:
1269:
1260:
1257:
1255:
1252:
1251:
1247:
1243:
1239:
1235:
1231:
1230:
1226:
1212:
1208:
1202:
1199:
1187:
1181:
1178:
1166:
1160:
1157:
1151:
1145:
1142:
1136:
1130:
1127:
1122:
1118:
1112:
1109:
1105:
1101:
1098:
1092:
1089:
1078:on 2009-02-07
1077:
1073:
1067:
1064:
1061:
1059:
1052:
1049:
1041:
1035:
1032:
1027:
1021:
1018:
1007:on 2009-01-14
1003:
996:
990:
988:
986:
984:
980:
967:
961:
958:
946:
940:
937:
924:
920:
915:
907:
904:
899:
892:
889:
878:on 2010-09-23
874:
867:
865:
857:
854:
842:
838:
834:
828:
825:
820:
814:
806:
802:
795:
793:
791:
789:
787:
783:
772:on 2019-08-14
771:
767:
763:
756:
753:
741:
737:
730:
727:
715:
711:
704:
702:
700:
698:
694:
689:
682:
679:
675:
669:
666:
661:
654:
651:
647:
642:
639:
627:
621:
618:
605:
601:
595:
592:
579:
575:
569:
566:
554:
553:
548:
542:
539:
526:
522:
516:
513:
507:
503:
500:
498:
495:
493:
490:
488:
485:
483:
480:
479:
475:
473:
471:
467:
459:
457:
455:
450:
447:
445:
441:
432:
425:
423:
416:
414:
412:
407:
405:
400:
398:
391:
387:
383:
379:
378:Smith College
374:
367:
362:
358:
355:
351:
348:
345:
340:
337:
336:Amateur Stage
333:
332:
330:
327:
326:
325:
319:
315:
311:
308:
306:
302:
299:
296:
295:
294:
288:
286:
282:
278:
276:
271:
267:
265:
261:
256:
252:
250:
245:
240:
238:
234:
230:
225:
221:
218:
216:
212:
208:
203:
201:
193:
191:
188:
184:
182:
177:
176:(in Dudley).
175:
174:Nathan Wright
171:
170:James Nesbitt
167:
163:
159:
150:
145:
138:
136:
134:
128:
126:
122:
118:
111:
109:
106:
102:
100:
96:
92:
87:
85:
80:
73:
71:
69:
64:
61:
58:performed by
57:
53:
49:
42:
41:
36:
32:
19:
1233:
1214:. Retrieved
1210:
1201:
1189:. Retrieved
1180:
1168:. Retrieved
1159:
1144:
1129:
1120:
1111:
1091:
1080:. Retrieved
1076:the original
1066:
1057:
1051:
1034:
1020:
1009:. Retrieved
1002:the original
970:. Retrieved
960:
948:. Retrieved
939:
927:. Retrieved
918:
906:
897:
891:
880:. Retrieved
873:the original
863:
856:
845:. Retrieved
841:the original
836:
827:
804:
774:. Retrieved
770:the original
765:
762:"Dream 2016"
755:
743:. Retrieved
740:The Guardian
739:
729:
717:. Retrieved
713:
687:
681:
673:
668:
659:
653:
645:
641:
629:. Retrieved
620:
608:. Retrieved
604:the original
594:
582:. Retrieved
578:the original
568:
556:. Retrieved
550:
541:
529:. Retrieved
525:the original
515:
463:
451:
448:
437:
426:In Australia
420:
408:
401:
394:
389:
335:
323:
320:Competitions
292:
280:
279:
269:
268:
266:in 2004-05.
254:
253:
241:
236:
223:
222:
219:
214:
204:
197:
189:
185:
178:
166:Jamie Dornan
154:
149:My Fair Lady
148:
132:
129:
125:Savoy operas
115:
107:
103:
88:
81:
77:
65:
51:
47:
46:
38:
1191:26 November
1170:26 November
552:Answers.com
162:Liam Neeson
1216:2023-05-23
1082:2009-01-27
1011:2008-08-11
972:2 December
950:2 December
929:3 December
882:2010-09-01
847:2021-05-05
776:2017-03-06
745:3 December
719:3 December
631:2 December
610:2 December
584:2 December
558:1 December
531:2 December
508:References
452:See also:
93:(London),
74:Definition
714:The Stage
676:, Vol. 26
442:drama in
440:Community
239:" below.
217:" below)
158:pantomime
1268:Category
1100:Archived
923:Archived
813:cite web
574:"Equity"
476:See also
255:Scotland
502:Theatre
388:of the
224:England
60:amateur
56:theatre
35:Gobowen
1240:
411:501(c)
353:theme.
314:Buxton
43:, 1954
1043:(PDF)
1005:(PDF)
998:(PDF)
876:(PDF)
869:(PDF)
497:Drama
492:Actor
270:Wales
54:, is
1238:ISBN
1193:2014
1172:2014
974:2014
952:2014
931:2014
819:link
747:2014
721:2014
633:2014
612:2014
586:2014
560:2014
533:2014
273:The
258:The
227:The
205:The
1270::
1209:.
1119:.
982:^
921:.
917:.
835:.
815:}}
811:{{
803:.
785:^
764:.
738:.
712:.
696:^
549:.
1219:.
1195:.
1174:.
1123:.
1095:"
1085:.
1045:.
1028:.
1014:.
976:.
954:.
933:.
885:.
850:.
821:)
807:.
779:.
749:.
723:.
635:.
614:.
588:.
562:.
535:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
