The Beauty of Community Theatre

You could take a trip to New York and see professional performers on Broadway who maybe went to NYU or Juilliard, who do eight shows a week, and probably have been in an episode or two of Law and Order. You could go to The Chicago Theatre and see Idina Menzel. You could even go to the Overture in Madison and see the latest National Tour. So why bother with community theatre when there are so many incredible options?

I have the utmost respect for professional performers. They have spent years honing their craft, hustling for gigs, and have worked tirelessly to make it to the top of their field. Or they were born into an industry family… but no hate, it’s all about connections in showbiz, baby.

But I have a special place in my heart for community theatre artists. For the Grocery Store Manager who has always loved Shakespeare. For the Paralegal who used to do theatre in high school and decided to give it another go. For the kids who are shy at school but light up when they get to be in the chorus of the local musical with their “theatre friends.”

Community theatre is beautiful BECAUSE it is amateur. The word amateur comes from the Latin root meaning "to love." People in community theatre do it simply because they love it. Hardly anyone gets paid, and if they do, it’s not much. They do community theatre for the community. For the feeling of belonging. Theatre is an intense, vulnerable, and emotional experience, and if it isn’t, you’re doing it wrong. Even the fluffiest of shows require weeks of preparation, study, and commitment. Putting yourself on a stage in front of friends and strangers takes guts, it doesn’t matter if it’s your first show or thousandth.

There is value in community theatre for the Community as well as the performer. When you go to a professional production you are certainly (hopefully) entertained and you may even be moved or inspired. And that’s great, that’s amazing, that’s the reason we go to the theatre, to be transported out of our daily lives and into a different world. But it’s not likely that you feel a personal connection to the performers or that you can relate to them in any tangible way. When you go to your local community theatre, the sets may not be as grand, the costumes may not be 100 percent historically accurate, and there probably won’t be any major special effects. But the people on the stage and behind the scenes are your friends and neighbors. They are the people who teach your children, who bag your groceries, who do your taxes. And they are putting their heart and soul into a work of art for you to enjoy. They are pushing past the fear of failure. They have volunteered their time to craft a (funny, frightening, poignant, delightful…) experience FOR YOU.

Is there anything lovelier than that? When you see a community theatre production, remember that all of those people, those hardworking, talented, brave people, live where YOU live. That must mean that where you live can’t be that bad because any place where art is thriving must have some beauty in it. Beauty feeds the spirit and the first ingredient in any work of art is inspiration of the human spirit. Starving souls don’t have time to make art, they are too busy surviving. So participate in community theatre, support community theatre, and watch the spirit of your community grow and thrive.

by Ashley Hirsh