Before movies, television, and radio there was theater. Almost the forgotten medium it has endured for thousands of years, and in many ways and places you can’t imagine.
Today there are over eight thousand small community theaters tucked away all over America supported by dedicated groups of individuals. How have they survived? Why have they survived? What drives these people to volunteer to fill whatever job needs to be done to get a production on the stage? More importantly, how do they pay the rent?
Why community theaters?
This 90 minute documentary will follow one such group of devoted and enthusiastic players through one of their seasons. “Theater Junkies” will enter the world of community theater and provide insight into everything from how plays are selected to auditions, rehearsals, filling crews, marketing, fund raising, and finally, opening night. This video will cover the highs and the lows of being in a small theater troupe and what it’s like to be a “theater junkie”.
Who is the Company OnStage?
Founded in 1978, The Company OnStage has been kind in agreeing to let our camera follow their volunteers in the process of staging a play. Through a few select individuals, we will see what kind of dedication and devotion is needed to keep a community theatre going. These are the people who direct, act, sit on the board of directors, control lights, stage manage, arrange wardrobe, do makeup, sell tickets, seat people, and serve refreshments. There is no monetary compensation; so, what drives these people to spend all of their free time in the theater for months, and even years?
The bottom line
While movies and television receive the majority of the entertainment press, this documentary is about the love some people have for an almost forgotten art. Community theaters are often overlooked at even the local level and this documentary will provide great insight into a medium that has been around for a long time.
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