Community Theatre is Not Just a Stepping Stone

Town Players of New Canaan

by Hannah Crawford,

Community theatre is often viewed as a stepping stone to the “real” theatre. I almost threw up a little in my mouth writing that out.

I understand the logic behind the sentiment that community theatre is a stepping stone. In reality, was it a stepping stone for me in the context of gaining more experience for my theatrical career? Yes, it was. But I think “stepping stone”  is the wrong language to use for many reasons. 

 I detest it when people say that community theatre is not real theatre. Let’s jump into why community theatre isn’t that stepping stone to get to the “next level.”

Community Theatre Is Not Lesser Theatre

I think that oftentimes when people hear the term “community,” they think of it as something that is “lesser” in part due to it being performed by volunteers. Community theatre is not a lesser art form. If anything, it is more of an art form. And no, I’m not saying that you can’t be paid for doing something you love and are good at. I’m saying that those who do it for free, you know, they truly love and have a passion for it. 

Community theatre does not equal low quality. I have seen quality productions that have surpassed equity shows in the power of their storytelling and the passion of their artists. Professionalism isn’t defined by the size of your paycheck, or lack thereof. 

When I started out in community theatre, I knew absolutely nothing about lighting or running the control booth. But I had a professional lighting technician take the time to teach me everything about running a control booth. And he didn’t get paid a dime to do that. To this day, that guy knows more about theatre lighting than any other paid theatre I have ever worked with (true story.)

Community Theatre Creates A Sense of Belonging You Can’t Manufacture

There is something so beautiful about people who come together because they choose to and not because they have to. And that choice really makes a difference. I think this is perhaps why I love working with people in volunteer positions. Take a job as an example. You might have people who are passionate about the work, but at the end of the day, they are there because they are being paid.

When you take away money, you know the only reason people are there is because they want to be. And there is something so beautiful about that. This is really where that sense of belonging comes into play. You know you are surrounded by genuine people who share your passion. 

Community Theatre Takes Chances

If there is one thing I learned about community theatre early on, it is that the people there are willing to train and take risks with people without that traditional experience. They are willing to invest time in mentoring and training theatre people into the professionals we need to successfully run shows.

When you’re in college, you are afforded opportunities because of your professors and the classes you are taking. But, as soon as you step out into the real world, you realize that it is not as easy as it sounds.  I can’t tell you how difficult it was for me to find anything paid, and why? Because I had zero experience. 

But that all changed when I started working with my community theatre in my hometown. They took a chance on me and helped give me the experience I needed, teaching youth theatre, working backstage, and helping me build the passion I have had since then for freelancing.

Community Theatre’s Impact Reaches Far Beyond the Stage

I never would have thought the above statement would be true if I had not experienced it for myself. After all, if you work in theatre, you’d think that it would only help you in theatre. However, it has done more for me than any paid job I’ve ever had.

To this day, I still attribute the success I have in my career outside theatre to the community theatre I first worked with. I have had a decade-long career in marketing and communications, with no “formal education” in these fields. 

Community theatre taught me invaluable skills about communication, collaboration, thinking on your feet, stepping up to the plate, being a leader, doing what no one else will, giving your all and then some, not being crippled by “what if I fail” when you know that you can fly, and so much more. 

I used these skills to get me to where I am today, working for a well-respected multi-location healthcare organization and running its entire marketing and communications department. And yes, if anyone asks me, I always tell them I attribute this success to the time I spent at that small community theatre over a decade ago that took a chance on me. 

Community theatre wasn’t something on my checklist to do and then mark off. I didn’t go through community theatre to try it out and then leave it behind as I moved on to the next thing. I took those skills with me, which have helped mold and shape many of the things I have done in my profession, both in theatre and non-theatre positions.

That small community theatre gave me a sense of belonging that I still to this day am trying to find. As many other community theatres through the years, that one has been shut down due to financial reasons. But I have applied those skills to my theatre and non-theatrical careers.

When I really reflect on it, community theatre truly gave me a sense of purpose and belonging that, to this day, still gives me the confidence and passion I need for the art form I love so much. 

Community theatre wasn’t my stepping stone; it was my lifeline.