"Community" Theatre

After reading a few interesting posts lately voicing people's strong feelings about community theatre, I'd like to add my two cents to the conversation.

I believe the important word in the phrase “community theatre” is community.

This is twofold.



First, a community theatre must serve the community in which it is established.

This should be at the forefront of a community theatre mission statement. (Does everyone the organization have that mission statement memorized? Perhaps a good place to begin here is that you can’t live by it if you don’t even know it.) Also, “How are we serving our community?” should be the question always asked at board meetings. (Yes, even before budgetary concerns…) How can a theatre be called a community theatre if it doesn’t serve its community? It is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. There are responsibilities that come along with that wonderful status of incorporation.

·         Does the organization serve its community through the art it creates and presents?

·         Does it serve an educational mission through a theatre school?

·         Does it address issues which are important to the community through theatre?

·         Who within the community truly has access to the productions?

There are many more questions that I’m sure could be asked, but to me, service, education, and access are good topics with which to begin. Also, are you striving to present the best art you can, or are you just “goofing around” and “having fun.” Theatre should be fun, but community theatre at its best should be hard work, quality presentations, and yes, fun. But remember, even a controversial piece or tragedy can be “fun” when they are presented well and spirit audiences away.

Second, a community theatre must create community, a place where people can commune and be in fellowship.

Community theatres have a bad reputation for burning people out and being havens for egos that couldn’t survive in the real world. This may be true in some organizations, but we should all strive to prevent these situations in our own “homes.” Anyone should be welcomed and put to work at once, if they are so willing. And remember, just because a person can act, sew, build, paint, hang and focus, etc, etc, etc, doesn’t mean s/he should be expected to on every production from now until doomsday. People need breaks. People need variety. Also, people who feel they should always be the lead, direct the musical, attend the interesting board meetings, etc., need to go. How can you build a team, no a family, with such a wrench in the works? These are the ego maniacs who tend to seek and destroy the “community” in community theatre. They will drive out people who are new and would have been lovely to work with, if they hadn’t been frightened (or angered) away. Do your best to be good to those you already have, and include all those who are willing into the community.

I realize all organizations will have ups and downs, but if you work within one of these wonderful, small, often quirky organizations known as community theatres, please, please, remember the beauty, importance, and meaning in community.

Until next time…
Ro Huizinga