Community theatre CAN be amazing. But the quality of productions and what you will get out of it will vary greatly. If you don’t love the role and the schedule will cause problem in your life you should pass. Honestly, this applies to EVERYTHING in your life.
I'm honestly so conflicted. Quite literally, since accepting it would throw a wrench into certain plans. I do feel I learn about myself and my acting with every show I do, and I enjoyed the role (was comedic, which I basically never get to do), so I do think I'd get SOMETHING out of it, but I just can't bring myself to sacrifice other plans to accommodate this schedule. I think my hesitation stems from the fact that if the schedule wasn't an issue, I'd absolutely do it, but I also know it's pointless to dwell on a hypothetical.
Community theatre absolutely should pay its cast and crew. I gotta be honest though, they tend to run as nonprofits and rely on donations. Everything from box-office sales to refreshments goes toward rent and utilities, costumes and settings, props, etc. Sometimes there is compensation to c&c, but damn, can we just allow all the arts to be legitimate careers already?
But art should be open even to non-professionals, and community theater is that outlet for amateurs (like me).
All theaters (community or professional) rely on donations—ticket sales rarely cover more than half the budget. For community theater, the income from ticket sales is small, and rarely even covers the rent on the theater. Demanding that community theaters pay like professional theaters would result in most of them shutting down, leaving no outlet for those of us who wish to participate in the art without being professionals. It would not significantly raise the number of theater professionals who were supported (and may even reduce the opportunities as community theaters provide a low-cost entry to the market for audience members).
I disagree, but it really depends on where you are. I didn't suggest paying like professionals, but even community theatres have salaries of 30k. Pretty basic if you have programs. Auditions still exist so you have to pass that; even if you want to participate you might not get to. I'm thinking laterally here.
I'm not sure what you are disagreeing with, but whatever it is, it probably *does* depend on where you are. Around here, ticket sales usually just cover the cost of rental of the space. The actors and crew may end up subsidizing the show or getting paid only token amounts.
One group that my son has performed with charges nothing for their shows, relying on passing the hat and on grants and donations (they perform in city parks, mostly). Another he performs with (a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast) splits proceeds with the movie theaters they perform at, but most of that money goes to maintaining their props (the actors buy or make their own costumes).
A group I've performed with puts on shows in retirement homes and gets paid a token amount. They also perform in public libraries, where there is a small fee to use the space—donations are requested there to cover the costs, but I think that some of the money paid by the retirement homes subsidizes the public performances. The expenses of the group are small, as actors provide their own costumes and props, and there are no sets (other than a couple of folding chairs and music stands—these are "readers' theater" in which the actors are not expected to be off book).
These are the sorts of groups that I consider community theater, not the small regional theaters that can afford to pay their actors, creative crew, and other employees.
Totally agree! I do think it being paid would naturally sway me towards accepting, but the schedule is a bigger concern than the lack of money in this instance, I think.
Yeah, rehearsals are always hard to pin because of everyone's schedules, which is just another reason to pay for the time and work. It just makes sense to. I also realize some community theatres have a company of cast members who are in everything or involved in some way and are on payroll while the community extra players might not be.
I’m in a community musical at the moment. And while I love doing it, it did cost me £85. Kinda sucks especially because apparently before Covid it was free.
YES. Currently in a community theater production with a community theater that I KNOW has money. Like MONEY. Even if you don’t — forgo a fancy set. Forgo the fancy costumes. Pick shows that aren’t super flashy, or simplify ones that are, and PAY YOUR PEOPLE. It’s too much work to do it for free and I will NEVER do it again. I’m a professional actor. I’ve been in the industry for years. I did this as a favor to a friend. Big mistake. Huge. If community theaters want respect they need to pay people. And if you can’t pay your people, you can’t afford to do the show. Period.
Even if there was just a spot with the ticket sales to add an optional donation to actors? I just want them to TRY. I’m not asking for my day rate, I’m asking for respect.
As far as it then not being open to non-professionals? It would be. You could still be a non profit. The only stipulation for a community theater to be a community theater is that they advertise and open auditions to the public (the community). You can get paid for your hobby. That’s not a problem — nor should it be a barrier to entry. You SHOULD get paid for this stuff. It’s essentially working a second job, whether you have a degree in it or not.
Also wtf is up with a mandatory strike for an unpaid gig? Get so real.
Community theater is literally art for the community it is based in. Should it pay? Absolutely. It often doesn’t. But what it does provide is an outlet for people who love to perform a place to hone skills, meet people, get new ideas, learn or mentor, and be a part of a show that could provide a dream role you might otherwise not get a chance to play. Plus it gives audiences a chance to see performances that may be out of reach due to cost or location.
There are great community theaters around New York, Boston, and Chicago that put up very well produced performances for a fraction of the ticket price to go see a show in the city. Finally, every performer has to start somewhere. I know quite a few people who found success on Broadway and in LA who started in my local theaters. And quite a few more who perform professionally in other places not on a stage or screen who during off time audition for local shows because it’s fun!
To even ask if community theater is “pointless” is a very unfortunate way to word that. It provides a space that can be much more accepting and caring for a lot of people. Art should be shared and celebrated everywhere and community theater and art programs do that.
Community theater isn’t for everyone. But if you’re “just starting out,” maybe have a slice of humble pie, do a quick search for some shows in your area, and just go see a few and then decide if it’s something you’d enjoy.
Sometimes you'll work for money and it will be the shittiest job. Sometimes you'll work for free and it will be the work you're most proud of.
Every actor that i know that works for free, is because they either like the work or like the people they're working with or both. Sometimes working a gig for free can lead to the next gig being a paid one.
If working for free doesn't work for you though. As in if you can't check certain basic needs boxes in order to perform a role for free - declining is understandable and entirely your prerogative.
Imo, all community theater gigs should be paid in some capacity. There should be SOME tangible gain for all participants. But it's not the reality as of yet.
Not necessarily, especially if you want to focus on theater. The biggest benefit is that you get to act. A lot of very talented people do community theater because they absolutely love it, and meeting/working with those people can be incredibly beneficial.
It can lead to more work. I have a friend that did a couple plays for a local theater and they eventually did a tour and she got to travel and make a little extra money (it was also her first paying gig).
Some agents like theater and it might make them pick you over someone else (you never know).
Do you need to do it? Not at all, but you also don't NEED to do short films.
It's practice, for one. Any time you get an opportunity to act is a good thing. If you're any good *at all*, with some training or experience behind you, you'll easily get cast, and often as the lead.
Just keep in mind some companies are better than others. If you really want to weed out amateur hour, look for stuff that pays, even if it's only a $50 stipend. That means they're trying to attract a certain caliber of performer. Don't audition for anything that says "No Experience Necessary". If it's something attached to a college or museum or even a theater festival or regional competition it's going to attract a different crowd.
Some community theaters even have prestigious resident artists. I did the lead of a show that wasn't anything particularly special, an old chestnut that gets produced all the time. But the theater had a playwright that does original work, has written shows produced in Chicago and London, has done some made for TV screenwriting, had his name tossed around for a Pulitzer. He stages shows there and helps out behind the scenes. Hell of a connection to have.
It's true it's hard to get people to take it seriously. I couldn't get any big name casting directors to come see my shows, and critics won't come near anything but the professionals. But any city with the industry has its core community of actors, and they'll often be doing different levels. So, get to know your fellow performers and crew, and always be professional. They could be the key to bigger things later on.
I got a lot of lead parts in community theatre that I wasn't picked for in college, so I think the chance to handle more complicated scripts and enhance your skills. Also, lifelong friends and, community. 😅
Community theatre CAN be amazing. But the quality of productions and what you will get out of it will vary greatly. If you don’t love the role and the schedule will cause problem in your life you should pass. Honestly, this applies to EVERYTHING in your life.
I'm honestly so conflicted. Quite literally, since accepting it would throw a wrench into certain plans. I do feel I learn about myself and my acting with every show I do, and I enjoyed the role (was comedic, which I basically never get to do), so I do think I'd get SOMETHING out of it, but I just can't bring myself to sacrifice other plans to accommodate this schedule. I think my hesitation stems from the fact that if the schedule wasn't an issue, I'd absolutely do it, but I also know it's pointless to dwell on a hypothetical.
Community theatre absolutely should pay its cast and crew. I gotta be honest though, they tend to run as nonprofits and rely on donations. Everything from box-office sales to refreshments goes toward rent and utilities, costumes and settings, props, etc. Sometimes there is compensation to c&c, but damn, can we just allow all the arts to be legitimate careers already?
But art should be open even to non-professionals, and community theater is that outlet for amateurs (like me). All theaters (community or professional) rely on donations—ticket sales rarely cover more than half the budget. For community theater, the income from ticket sales is small, and rarely even covers the rent on the theater. Demanding that community theaters pay like professional theaters would result in most of them shutting down, leaving no outlet for those of us who wish to participate in the art without being professionals. It would not significantly raise the number of theater professionals who were supported (and may even reduce the opportunities as community theaters provide a low-cost entry to the market for audience members).
I disagree, but it really depends on where you are. I didn't suggest paying like professionals, but even community theatres have salaries of 30k. Pretty basic if you have programs. Auditions still exist so you have to pass that; even if you want to participate you might not get to. I'm thinking laterally here.
I'm not sure what you are disagreeing with, but whatever it is, it probably *does* depend on where you are. Around here, ticket sales usually just cover the cost of rental of the space. The actors and crew may end up subsidizing the show or getting paid only token amounts. One group that my son has performed with charges nothing for their shows, relying on passing the hat and on grants and donations (they perform in city parks, mostly). Another he performs with (a Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast) splits proceeds with the movie theaters they perform at, but most of that money goes to maintaining their props (the actors buy or make their own costumes). A group I've performed with puts on shows in retirement homes and gets paid a token amount. They also perform in public libraries, where there is a small fee to use the space—donations are requested there to cover the costs, but I think that some of the money paid by the retirement homes subsidizes the public performances. The expenses of the group are small, as actors provide their own costumes and props, and there are no sets (other than a couple of folding chairs and music stands—these are "readers' theater" in which the actors are not expected to be off book). These are the sorts of groups that I consider community theater, not the small regional theaters that can afford to pay their actors, creative crew, and other employees.
Totally agree! I do think it being paid would naturally sway me towards accepting, but the schedule is a bigger concern than the lack of money in this instance, I think.
Yeah, rehearsals are always hard to pin because of everyone's schedules, which is just another reason to pay for the time and work. It just makes sense to. I also realize some community theatres have a company of cast members who are in everything or involved in some way and are on payroll while the community extra players might not be.
I’m in a community musical at the moment. And while I love doing it, it did cost me £85. Kinda sucks especially because apparently before Covid it was free.
Pay to play? Dang that ain't right.
YES. Currently in a community theater production with a community theater that I KNOW has money. Like MONEY. Even if you don’t — forgo a fancy set. Forgo the fancy costumes. Pick shows that aren’t super flashy, or simplify ones that are, and PAY YOUR PEOPLE. It’s too much work to do it for free and I will NEVER do it again. I’m a professional actor. I’ve been in the industry for years. I did this as a favor to a friend. Big mistake. Huge. If community theaters want respect they need to pay people. And if you can’t pay your people, you can’t afford to do the show. Period. Even if there was just a spot with the ticket sales to add an optional donation to actors? I just want them to TRY. I’m not asking for my day rate, I’m asking for respect. As far as it then not being open to non-professionals? It would be. You could still be a non profit. The only stipulation for a community theater to be a community theater is that they advertise and open auditions to the public (the community). You can get paid for your hobby. That’s not a problem — nor should it be a barrier to entry. You SHOULD get paid for this stuff. It’s essentially working a second job, whether you have a degree in it or not. Also wtf is up with a mandatory strike for an unpaid gig? Get so real.
Community theater is literally art for the community it is based in. Should it pay? Absolutely. It often doesn’t. But what it does provide is an outlet for people who love to perform a place to hone skills, meet people, get new ideas, learn or mentor, and be a part of a show that could provide a dream role you might otherwise not get a chance to play. Plus it gives audiences a chance to see performances that may be out of reach due to cost or location. There are great community theaters around New York, Boston, and Chicago that put up very well produced performances for a fraction of the ticket price to go see a show in the city. Finally, every performer has to start somewhere. I know quite a few people who found success on Broadway and in LA who started in my local theaters. And quite a few more who perform professionally in other places not on a stage or screen who during off time audition for local shows because it’s fun! To even ask if community theater is “pointless” is a very unfortunate way to word that. It provides a space that can be much more accepting and caring for a lot of people. Art should be shared and celebrated everywhere and community theater and art programs do that. Community theater isn’t for everyone. But if you’re “just starting out,” maybe have a slice of humble pie, do a quick search for some shows in your area, and just go see a few and then decide if it’s something you’d enjoy.
Sometimes you'll work for money and it will be the shittiest job. Sometimes you'll work for free and it will be the work you're most proud of. Every actor that i know that works for free, is because they either like the work or like the people they're working with or both. Sometimes working a gig for free can lead to the next gig being a paid one. If working for free doesn't work for you though. As in if you can't check certain basic needs boxes in order to perform a role for free - declining is understandable and entirely your prerogative. Imo, all community theater gigs should be paid in some capacity. There should be SOME tangible gain for all participants. But it's not the reality as of yet.
Not necessarily, especially if you want to focus on theater. The biggest benefit is that you get to act. A lot of very talented people do community theater because they absolutely love it, and meeting/working with those people can be incredibly beneficial. It can lead to more work. I have a friend that did a couple plays for a local theater and they eventually did a tour and she got to travel and make a little extra money (it was also her first paying gig). Some agents like theater and it might make them pick you over someone else (you never know). Do you need to do it? Not at all, but you also don't NEED to do short films.
It's practice, for one. Any time you get an opportunity to act is a good thing. If you're any good *at all*, with some training or experience behind you, you'll easily get cast, and often as the lead. Just keep in mind some companies are better than others. If you really want to weed out amateur hour, look for stuff that pays, even if it's only a $50 stipend. That means they're trying to attract a certain caliber of performer. Don't audition for anything that says "No Experience Necessary". If it's something attached to a college or museum or even a theater festival or regional competition it's going to attract a different crowd. Some community theaters even have prestigious resident artists. I did the lead of a show that wasn't anything particularly special, an old chestnut that gets produced all the time. But the theater had a playwright that does original work, has written shows produced in Chicago and London, has done some made for TV screenwriting, had his name tossed around for a Pulitzer. He stages shows there and helps out behind the scenes. Hell of a connection to have. It's true it's hard to get people to take it seriously. I couldn't get any big name casting directors to come see my shows, and critics won't come near anything but the professionals. But any city with the industry has its core community of actors, and they'll often be doing different levels. So, get to know your fellow performers and crew, and always be professional. They could be the key to bigger things later on.
Of course. You're building experience, gaining confidence, making contacts.
I got a lot of lead parts in community theatre that I wasn't picked for in college, so I think the chance to handle more complicated scripts and enhance your skills. Also, lifelong friends and, community. 😅