Ask Auntie Trash: How do I get into Theatre?

Dear Auntie Trash,

How do I get into theatre?

Yours,

Inexperienced Innie.

Hey there, Innie,

Your letter isn’t very clear about what it is that you want exactly, but I can work with it, and so this answer is going to be in two parts. You ready? Hold on tight, baby.

Firstly, I’m assuming that you are asking me, as so many people do, 'Theatre, what’s it all about, then, eh?' To which I usually reply, 'How long have you got? Buy me a drink, darling, yeah?'

The thing about theatre is that it’s theatre; it’s an ancient art form that can be traced back thousands of years. It makes an appearance in just about every ancient culture that we know about. Theatre is storytelling with bells on: it’s big, it’s fabulous, and it’s got a hell of a lot of stigma attached to it. 

Because of this stigma, it can be a little daunting to physically stray into the theatrical world, but once you dip the first toe into the pool of drama, you’ll be balls deep in no time. So, my young adventurer, I urge you: if you want to start ‘getting’ theatre, if you want to get an understanding of what theatre is, exactly, then you need to go to your local theatre. 

Once you’re there, make a note of what’s on, what productions are going to tour to local venues, read some reviews and then buy a couple of tickets. You never know, you might just enjoy the experience.

Secondly – because your letter was brief (yay!) but unclear (boo!) it wasn’t immediately obvious what you wanted. What the hell is it that you want, Innie?

(Continues below)

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More from Theatre:

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If you want to work in the theatre – as an actor, designer, technician, director, playwright, producer, dramaturg, or whatever – then the first thing you need to do is be involved somehow. Anyhow.

Go to see the latest productions, book a ticket to see a show in a different city, go see something that you would never, ever see in a million years (I once went to see Hot Flush: The Menopause Musical, so there’s no reason why you can’t suffer too!) and try to get a job as an usher or behind the bar in a theatre (discounted tickets, baby). Do whatever you need to do to immerse yourself in the murky, filthy, utterly debauched but totally wonderful world of performance.

I’m telling you this, because in order to work in the theatre, you have to know what’s going on, who’s who and who is doing who. When you make the time to get off your arse, get out of your house and actually see shows, it will be worth your while. You will see little pieces of history unfold before your eyes, you will see productions that will never leave you, you will see work that will inspire or irritate you. And if it irritates you, brilliant! Find out why it didn’t work for you and then make something better.

The point I’m making is that you can’t create theatre, or play an active part in the theatre community, if you don’t go to the theatre, or read plays, or at least know what’s happening within the theatre world.

So, if you wanna be experienced, then reach out, get your hands dirty, go to the theatre and see if they have a drama group or run auditions to join their company.  As theatre's beloved Dr. Frank-N-Furter once sang, "Don’t dream it. Be it."

Good luck!