Getting Involved in Local Theatre

Letters, oh we get letters (well, occasionally). Here's one from someone who goes by the name "Oscar the Grouch" (although something tells me it isn't from the "real" Oscar). The question is a good one, and of interest to anyone who'd like to be involved with local theatre, but doesn't necessarily want to be an actor.

He or she wrote:

I love the theatre, and I really want to get involved. But I don't have the talent. How can I get involved backstage?

My answer:

That's easy - just watch for auditions for a show, and go there and tell them you don't want to audition, but you'd like to help as a member of the tech crew. You should aim for a show in your age group - in other words, if you're a kid go to a First Stage audition, if you're an adult go to a HOT, 5th Avenue Theatre or ARTS audition.

Do not go to a Marshall Theatre audition (unless you're a Marshall student) - they have a professional tech crew on hand and other than that, they only use Marshall students backstage. Shows brought in by the Marshall Artists Series are like any other concert traveling through town - they use professional Union workers to handle tech requirements.

But community theatre groups are always looking for volunteers! They'll try to match you up to an area you have skills in, like sound or lighting, or they may put you to work painting or moving set pieces around, or helping with props - there are lots of jobs to tackle for people with any range of job skills.

Good luck!

As always, if you have a question or comment, feel free to send it to TheMinskers@aol.com. We'll do our best to track down an answer!