Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community. It may refer to theatre that is made entirely by a community with no outside help, or to a collaboration between community members and professional theatre artists, or to performance made entirely by professionals that is addressed to a particular community. Community theatres range from small groups led by single individuals that perform in borrowed spaces to large permanent companies with well equipped facilities of their own.
Many community theatres are successful, non-profit businesses with a large active membership and, often, a full-time professional staff. Community theatre is often devised and may draw on popular theatrical forms, such as carnival, circus, and parades, as well as performance modes from commercial theatre.
Community theatre is understood to contribute to the social capital of a community, insofar as it develops the skills, community spirit, and artistic sensibilities of those who participate, whether as producers or audience-members. It is used as a tool for social development, promoting ideas like gender equality, human rights, environment and democracy.
some community theatre practices have been developed based on the philosophy of education theorist Paulo Freire's approach of critical pedagogy in theatre and implementation techniques built by Augusto Boal, known as Theatre of the Oppressed. Freire's approach attempted to stimulate social change by encouraging the audience to build capacities for critical thinking through participation in active dialogue. The participants would identify problem of concerns and discuss possible solutions, with an enhanced tolerance for different perspectives with regard to the same issues. Such plays are then rarely performed in traditional play-houses but rather staged on streets, public places, in traditional meeting spaces, schools, prisons, or other institutions, inviting an alternative and often spontaneous audience to watch.
Community theatre is distinct from amateur theatre which, while it may be community based, is non-professional Community theatre enriches the lives of those who take an active part in it, as well as those in the community who benefit from live theatre productions. On either side of the footlights, those involved represent a diversity of age, culture, life experience, and a strong appreciation of the importance of the arts.
I believe that community theatre is improve development. in many cases, community theatre thrives in this nation like nowhere else in the world. Seeing the positive impact that it can have on youth, seniors, area businesses, and a community's identity is a humbling but energizing experience. Our ongoing challenge is to continue to raise the bar on our work-constantly make it better-while continuing to have that positive impact that theatre education and participation bring.
Also Community theatre gives a roadmap to new worlds of experience, emotion and knowledge. It has been such a joy to explore those worlds with colleagues and friends, volunteers and audiences in my own village and across the country.
I recommend that government should create a community theatre across various villages in order to have good relation within themselves.
Sunday unekwuojo Samson
A students of mass communication
Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi