BackStage Utah

Community Theatre vs. Professional Theatre... "Drama, Drama, DRAMA!!" you know it's unavoidable.... now, what kind of things are you willing to put up with when you consider the difference between the 2 types of Theatre? Are there any differences, or is the level of tolerance the same for you? Also, are your loyalties or dedication the same or different when it comes to these 2 types of theatre?

I expect both types of theater to strive for excellence.  Just because it's community theater doesn't mean they shouldn't try to put together a good product.  That being said, I expect well-rounded casting, excellent sets, and better staging at professional companies.  While community theaters may have individual performers that are just as good as any professional company, I expect the entire cast of a professional show to be stellar.  On average, I tend to patron community theaters more because that's where I know the most people and because of ticket prices.

As a viewer, my expectations are infinitely higher with professional theatre. In community theare I take it as a given that there will be a few cast members who can't really act (almost always the case). However, with two exceptions, the professional plays I've seen have also including at least one inept performance. The difference is I shrug them off pretty easily in community theatre, whereas I'm still complaining about Fantine's factory boss in the 1992 touring Les Miserables and Cordelia in the 2001 (I think) PTC production of King Lear.

As an actor, my only experience in truly professional equity theatre was as a teenager, and, frankly they were some of the worst plays i was ever in (I judge that solely as a reflection on that organization). As much as I hate to drag up the dread "semi-pro" term, I have tended to take things like being on time and memorization more seriously when i'm getting paid, but overall it was always my practice to give the best performance I would regardless of the venue. In fact, some of my biggest roles were for non-paying plays and therefore I may have put more into them.

As an actor: my commitment level is the same no matter where I work.  I don't have a very high level of tolerance for drama or unprofessionalism anywhere, which is why there are only a few "community" theatres that I audition for.  The only expectation difference--I expect all elements of my costumes to be provided at a professional theatre, whereas in community theatre, I expect to have to at least provide my own shoes.

As an audience member: when I see community theatre I expect that it will be "fun"--something I can take the kids to--and occasionally I'm surprised by great performances and great directing.  When I see professional theatre I expect for it to be well-executed and to have excellent production elements, and I'm often disappointed.  I realize as I type this that it reflects a certain prejudice on my part re: community actors vs. professional actors even though I, myself, work in both arenas.

I see a lot of both--I don't find the ticket prices for professional theatres here to be forbidding (with the exception of Pioneer, which is the highest ticket price in SL, aside from touring shows).  You can find Facebook friend prices for certain nights at SLAC and Plan-B tickets are only around $20.

Thanks for your responses! Oooh, and "Unwritten" - I like how you put that perspective out there!! Hmmm, I want to dig in a bit deeper though, as I should have phrased my original post a bit clearer.. "As an actor" how much "backstage drama" are you willing to put up with? Meaning, the typical stress that comes with Theatre...although we all get involved with it for the LOVE of Theatre, there is some stress that at times develops with Cast, Directors, rehearsal schedules, artistic differences, etc... Do you find your attitude/tolerance level/expectance, etc to differ when you are involved with either a Professional or Community Theatre?

I dunno, maybe it's a loaded question though...

That's a good distinction.  If they waste my time, I don't worry about theirs as much.  While I don't ever try and slack, I worry less about being 15 minutes late to call if I normally waste hours in rehearsals where I'm not needed.

I agree with everything said here. I personally feel professionalism should exist on all levels no matter what. Community Theatre is a great place to teach that, particularly by example from the actors that do care about their work.

We consider ourselves semi-professional as we pay our actors and run our business all year long. What drives me crazy is actors who treat things like being prepared and coming on time as if they were doing community theatre (or at least the people who have a nonchalant attitude about it),..but then, we don't use them again.
Personally, I have been in 1 community play that was run so poorly that I could have screamed (wait...I did). 3 that were just ok...(but I had slightly more creative control over what was going on.) I just don't do them anymore.