Non-profit community theaters are typically all-volunteer organizations — at least as far as performers, production staff. and board members go. There are occasionally exceptions* to that, but for the most part no one gets paid.
Though some community theatre companies have paid staff for administrative functions, the ACT 2 Theatre Company has no paid staff. All administrative functions are performed by volunteers, usually board members. We have no office space, but manage things like phone reservations and other communication through the generosity of board members and volunteers lending their offices and phones or through online outlets like Google and Facebook.
Nearly everyone involved with a community theatre production has a full-time job doing something other than theatre. In any show you’re likely to see teachers, small business owners, designers, fast-food workers, dental technician, social workers, accountants, engineers, lawyers, nurses, repairmen, and any other profession you can think of along with students who may or may not be looking at a career in performing arts.
But, then, we have also had the privilege of working with professionals, too — actors, singers, directors, voice and theatre educators from local universities, professional choreographers — all as volunteers. This is the educational part of community theatre. Non-professionals are eager to hone their craft, even though it’s not their livelihood, and what they learn from the professionals like those we’ve worked with is priceless. And the pros get the satisfaction of knowing they are keeping theatre arts alive in the community.
A typical show can have a rehearsal period from 4 to 8 weeks, 3 or 4 rehearsals a week and though technical crew don’t usually join in until the week or so before opening, the actors, stage manager, and director are there from start to finish.
If you have an interest in working to create theatre magic with us, please let us know! Go to the registration form link on the right and tell us how you’d like to get involved.
Everyone is there because they love theatre. It’s a creative outlet for people who love to design sets, sound, lighting, and costumes, acting, singing, directing and the rest. In most cases, you’ll find that they are no less talented than a lot of professional actors and technical theatre folk, but they have chosen to make a living doing something else.
Yes, it’s a lot of work, but the payoff is always worth it. For some it’s the applause, for others it’s just being able to express themselves through their creative efforts, for others it’s a step in a personal journey. And we have to be honest — some are in it for the cast parties. Whatever the motivation, the arts — in this case theatre arts — have a way of filling holes in the soul that nothing else can.