Many people who have gone along to watch an amateur theatre production have had their love of performing arts awakened by the experience.

Community theatre provides a safe place where performers young and old can discover their love of performing, learn the techniques of stagecraft, and explore the many areas of aproduction in which they may like to be involved.

This may include acting, sound and lighting, directing, producing, backstage work, set building and decorating, props, makeup or costume making.

For many people, their community theatre provides a hobby that can be enjoyed in the company of other like-minded people in a very social environment.

Such a hobby can develop personal confidence, and provide entertainment to hundreds of audience members every year.

For youth members, it can be a training ground for anyone who aspires to follow a career in the performing arts but more importantly it has cognitive, social, emotional and physical advantages especially through the teenage years.

The Bay Theatre Playhouse in Gregory Street, Batemans Bay is home to the Bay Theatre Players which has a long history of bringing the live theatre experience to the local community.

The Playhouse is also the venue for regular play readings, such as the most recent one, Joseph Robinette’s adaptation of ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’. 

Pictured above at the reading are, from left, Sarah Lassau, Raquel Carrasco, Patrick Eberle, Rhian Toyer, Drezae Mugridge, Layissa Mugridge, Keeley Belk, Xylara Mugridge, Huon DuField, Ethan Quick, Charlotte Quick and Amarlia Jaksic.

Such play readings also provide an opportunity for kids to connect with their community theatre and to work with a script in a fun way.

If you would like to learn more about your local theatre and become a member please contact Jack Helmore on 0408 163 298.

The next production to hit the stage is ‘House on Fire’ in October, so please take the opportunity to come along and see what it’s all about.

In House on Fire, things aren’t going especially well for the Conway sisters. Dad’s just married the geography teacher; oldest sister Bec’s been fired, dumped and evicted and Evie’s suffering serious issues with her new best friends. Michaela has 24 hours to solve her sister’s problems before she sits the most important exams of her life. What could possibly go wrong?