Really, all creatives should join community theatre. And no, I’m not just saying that because I’ve been doing it since 2004 (but really, please someone else join my group so I don’t have to go on any more ladders).
How Do I Join Community Theatre?
Skip this if you’re already familiar with the organizations in your area!
Let me clarify: I work backstage. I don’t act or play an instrument. The way I get involved in community theatre might be different from yours if you have acting or musical chops. The good news is, working backstage has no prerequisites beyond basic common sense (there are often roles you can take even with intellectual or physical limitations)–you can start behind the scenes for a show or two before auditioning, if you’re more comfortable with that.
Nowadays, most organizations have a social media presence. Try Googling the name of a local organization if you know it, or just search for something like “community theatre + [your state, city, etc].” If you live in the U.S., your state may have an arts organization that aggregates these kinds of groups. You can also try looking in the vicinity of your closest major university.
(Note that while “theatre” is technically the correct spelling, some groups may use “theater” as it’s the more familiar spelling for most people–at least in the U.S.)
I joined my current organization by leaving comments on their Facebook page until someone told me the next show that had openings. You could also try showing up in person to certain kinds of events:
- Town halls: My organization has these open to the public; some may reserve them for members.
- Fundraisers: Small donors often give as little as $5, so there’s not huge pressure. If you can’t donate, your organization will probably be happy just to get your email.
- Strike, build, strike-build, strike/build, etc: You get it—it’ll have one of those words in the name. This is typically a 4-6 hour day that involves taking down the old set and setting up the frame for the new one. You’ll be expected to do manual labor (even just carrying things from one room to another), but you’ll also probably get coffee or lunch provided. No need to bring your own tools, but they’ll be grateful if you do. I recommend bringing work gloves, and goggles if you have them.
Okay, But Why Should I Join Community Theatre?
SO many reasons! It’s community, it’s the arts, what more do you need?
For me to write the post I promised I’d write? Fine.
1. You get to support the arts.
We want to support other artists. I’d love to be able to give my favorite creators my support, but I can’t always afford to do that. We also want to support local art, but we can’t all fund MFA scholarships at our local university.
Being involved in community theatre lets you support the arts in a low-cost way. You can buy a ticket to a show. You can donate old furniture, clothing, etc. to fill the props and costume closets. You can volunteer your time and spend nothing at all. Many of these organizations run on shoestring budgets and could always use more volunteers (especially young ones!), so your presence makes a difference.
2. You get to participate in the arts.
As writers (or other creatives), we know the arts don’t pay shit–pardon my French. It’s hard to make a living as an artist, which means there are few professional or semi-professional opportunities out there that aren’t choked with competition.
Some community theatres are cutthroat, especially on productions that look really good on an acting resume (A Streetcar Named Desire, August Osage County, Uncle Vanya, etc). However, there’s pretty much always a chance to get involved backstage, working the house, helping with marketing, etc. The better you get the know an orginization, the more you understand what they’re looking for and the more opportunities will open up to you. (And let’s face it, I’ve never worked with an org that isn’t at least a little nepotistic.)
3. It can get you out of your creative rut.
Sometimes we get stuck in a creative rut. Sometimes we can brute-force our way through the rut, but sometimes we need to circumvent it. I know some people who get inspired after walking away and purposely not thinking about their work, others who benefit from working on other projects of mediums for a while, and others who need to be around other creatives.
Guess what? Community theatre can help you with all of that! Everyone involved has an artistic streak in them, whether they’ll admit it or not. If you’re reading this, I’m guessing that writing or directing live theatre isn’t your main creative occupation, so getting involved gives you the chance to hang out with other artists in a novel space and medium. Depending on the work you’re doing, it can also physically tire you out, which I find weirdly improves my creative thinking sometimes.
4. You get to experience some great storytelling.
Every company does its duds over the years. But writers like Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams, and, of course, Shakespeare, are considered among some of the best to have ever written in English. When working on a production, you’ll not only read and hear their words, you’ll also work with a group of talented people to explore the words, think about what motivates characters, and decide how to present the work in the way that’s most meaningful to your specific audience, here and now. It’s a great exercise that’s valuable for any creative.
5. You help bring art to the public.
One of my favorite things about community theatre is that it’s accessible. For many people, it’s a close-to-home, low-cost entry into the world of performing arts. When you work on a production, you’re not only improving your own skills and promoting local creatives, but you may be introducing someone to the beauty of the performed word for the first time. And what’s a better feeling than that?
Words Per Mile 
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