An amateur’s views on amateur theatre.

Why would I write a theatre blog? Who would be interested in what I have to say? Maybe someone? Maybe no one? I guess it really doesn’t matter. The point for me is to write. So, what should I write about? Well, I’ve heard it said that you should write about what you know or what you are passionate about. I’m not sure I really “know” theatre, but it is something I have involved myself in for a good portion of my life, whether it’s participating in school or community theatre or whether it’s following professional theatre and seeing traveling companies in Los Angeles.

I make no claim to know what I’m talking about or to have any true knowledge of the craft, the history or the general culture. I only know my own interest and my own desire to want to participate. I’m not here to criticize, in fact, quite the opposite. I’m writing to promote and encourage the art form.

Most of what I will likely write about is our local community where I get most of my theatre fix. We have to keep in mind that, while all community theatre people love to think that every show we do is Broadway worthy, let’s face it, it isn’t. However, community theatre allows your dentist, your neighbor, your kid’s fifth grade teacher to express themselves creatively and to encourage young people to get excited about live theatre in an age where the art form has teetered on irrelevance. Community theatre isn’t about being Broadway worthy, it’s about ordinary people coming together to do something extraordinary.

Whether the show is a hit or not with the audience, a community theatre production is truly an extraordinary event. Everyday people like you and me work 40 hours a week but somehow manage to drag our tired selves to a three hour rehearsal three times a week after work or during our weekend where our time is extremely precious. We choose to spend our nights studying lines or perfecting choreography. Why? Not because we’re getting paid. Not because anyone will “discover” us. No, it’s out of love for the show, for the theater building itself, for the companionship of our fellow thespians, for the audience, for the craft, or for some other personal reason. The fact that we take our passion seriously and use our valuable time to rehearse for twelve weeks and are somehow able to present an entertaining night of theatre is extraordinary indeed.

Mounting a volunteer show of any size is no easy task. There are complicated technical aspects. There is an unbelievable amount of pre-planning. There’s set building, costuming, often choreography and vocal rehearsals. And then, of course, there’s the budget which is so tight it almost doesn’t exist. The fact that any community theatre production makes it to the stage in front of a live audience when so many things could go wrong and with so many obstacles in front of it is extraordinary indeed. It’s a true act of love and devotion for what we do.

So, here I am, an amateur theatre person writing an amateur blog about an extraordinary art form. I hope to write about shows, about the different types of talent involved in putting on a show, about theatre personalities, about theatre history, about theatre fun facts, or just about funny theatre stories. There’s an awful lot to write about. I hope this blog will reveal so much love for theatre that it might even encourage even just one person to find a reason to participate in keeping this ancient and important art form alive.

My blog rule is to keep everything positive. This will not be a place to bash anyone or anything. I will welcome and publish all comments that keep to this rule. My goal is to write at least one blog per week. I hope you will follow and like and comment and maybe share.

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Gary S. is your average community theatre geek, residing in the Antelope Valley in Southern California where he participates in community theatre productions once or twice per year. He works a 9-5 job in the medical field. He has the two most brilliant and talented kids. This blog is written simply for his need to write and for his love of theatre.