I Love Theatre!
Melbourne is full of Community Theatre Companies
I do indeed love theatre. I love watching it, I love being part of it and I'm so fortunate to have fabulous theatre companies in my home town.
A community theatre group can be small, performing in borrowed spaces, or a more permanent group with well-equipped facilities, but whatever size, they contribute to the social capital of my community.
Melbourne can boast of some excellent community theatre companies. Let me introduce you to three of my favourites.
Australian Shakespeare Company
When you think of theatre surely the name of Shakespeare comes to mind. There must be thousands of Skaespearian companies around the world but the one that I get to see is The Australian Shakespeare Company, known for accessible and contemporary productions.
I'm particularly impressed with their Young Bards Programme, a series of creative workshops and performance opportunities for young people aged 7 to 18.
With the new Young Bards programme the Australian Shakespeare Company extends its vision of exciting, contemporary theatre produced the way Shakespeare intended - unshackled from traditional constraints, accessible and above all entertaining for everyone.
Theatre Productions can deliver a Social Message
A still from Keep Left Theatre's Safe Haven, a play highlighting the plight of refugees.
Catchment Players
The story of Catchment Players began in a local school renowned for excellent musical productions, Reservoir High School. Because there were no local theatre groups operating in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, a small company was formed to encourage community interest in theatre and to provide a local outlet for ex-students.
It's grown a heck of a lot since then!
Williamstown Musical Theatre Company
Williamstown Musical Theatre Compamy began in 1954 with their first production of "The Pirates of Penzance" in 1956.
nother non-profit group, they have staged numerous productions for both theatre-lovers and the Hobsons Bay community for fifty years at their theatre, the Williamstown Mechanics Institute
How appropriate to be housed in an historical educational establishment, originally set up to provide adult education to working men.
Community Theatre is about Community
A theatre company isn't all about acting, dancing and singing, it's about supporting your local community.
Everyone can get involved, performers, musicians, set builders, scenic artists, lighting designers, production team personnel, local businesses, and promoters, (not forgetting the audience) all in together making a real community..