Have you ever seen any of those old Judy Garland/Mickey Rooney movies where they need to raise money and get the brilliant idea to put on a show: “We can use my barn!” Somehow it all comes together and the day is saved. That’s the concept behind community theaters. A bunch of people combine their work and talents to put on a production. It might be a classic musical, such as “Fiddler on the Roof,” a Shakespearean comedy or an original Christmas show. It could be a well-known serious play or an unknown comedy/drama. It may be a long two-act play or a series of several one-act plays.
Think of the time and effort that goes into each production. Someone designs the sets. Perhaps that person or other people build them. Someone creates costumes, and someone else figures out the lighting. Someone has to direct the play, figuring out who stands where, and where to place the props, which another person has procured. And then there’s auditions and casting and endless rehearsals. In community theaters, all these people are volunteers; no one is being paid. They’re doing it for the love of the art.
For the same reason, I freely loan my plays to community theaters across the country. There will be no licensing fee or charge of any kind. Just email me your request, and I will send you an attached copy of the play you want to perform. I would appreciate it if you would let me known when and where the play will be produced. Who knows—I may be in attendance. I love a good community-theater presentation.
