Community Theatre

There is a euphemism in the theatre world- ‘Community Theatre’; it is both slightly patronising and an apt description. I have created performances with so many different groups of people, many aspirational and intrepid, and some troubled and in need of medicine of the spirit. Drama and all its associated potentials of self-discovery, affirmation and social bonding has given witness to personal and communal transformations. It has been a joy and gift.

A good example of this kind of project is: Swamp Treasures, 2006. The long-lamented FUEL Festival commissioned me to create a large-scale community theatre event, to be staged at the Meteor Theatre.  I dreamt up a structure that would have coherence and focus for the cast of 90. I approached a number of community arts groups and invited them in. A teenage theatre company, a youth orchestra, a dance company, aspiring puppeteers and mask makers, a playwright and composers.  Our work was a lament for the Waikato Wetlands and an awareness raising exercise. I gave the performing groups 15 minutes of stage time each and an aspect of the theme to work to. I would visit rehearsals to keep everything going in the same direction then we had two days in the theatre to run it all together. The outcome was quite an achievement, 90 people committing their craft and effort to articulate a concern. It was political and artistic and brought a distinct community together for a brief and energetic time.

This is a link to a published paper: Aesthetics and Didactic Intention;

Community Theatre and its Modal interface with Common Beauty.

Report to the Raglan Community Board.