Theatre

[Wong]

Can anyone tell me the difference between 'Community Theatre' and 'Amateur theatre'. I would be grateful for any input. Thanks

[miss_chase]

Amateur Theatre is theatre made by people who are not professionals (they do another job as their 'proper' job). The content may be anything (but often 'classic' plays made by white middle class people)

Community Theatre is made for or by the local community and is relevant to them in some way. Eg I live in Hackney so the local community theatre in Dalston will provide work that caters for Turkish and Kurdish audiences, and Afro-Caribbean audiences. It can be amateur or professional.

Hope that helps. www.thestage.co.uk might have more information.

[Wong]

Thanks a lot. I'm still trying to find out what the difference is between 'Community theatre' in America and England

[RogK]

Miss Chase is right about the definition of community theatre in the UK, but I think it's different in the US where the theatre is 'in a community' (i.e. a small town) but still does mainstream plays - not plays about that particular community, but the type of work the repertory system produces in the UK. Google, for instance, the Theatre Royal, Bath for an example of a programme of plays in a British town. This, unless I'm much mistaken, would be called community theatre in the US.

[miss_chase]

Oh yes, i think RogK is right about America (I assume people on here are from the uk... oops). It is called Repertory Theatre here. Or the work that Arts Centres do here.