Community Theatre provides an opportunity for the amateur practitioner to practice and develop their creative skills in a variety of roles - these include direction, design, front-of-house, marketing and of course, performance. The term amateur defines one who participates in a pursuit without payment but is driven by passion.

Community theatre is a platform for passion - it provides for participants, who have a desire to make the arts their profession, their first precious steps into the precarious and wonderful world of the theatre.

A great deal of fun is had along the way as participants collaborate with other like-minds in a setting that provides a cherished social interaction and develops valuable skills; whilst also providing audiences, in suburban and regional areas, with perhaps their only access to live performance.

Carla Moore is a drama educator and playwright. For the past 17 years she has served as President of the Chester Street Theatre in Epping, Sydney.

The company works out of a church hall and programs 3 productions a year. All are eagerly attended by an enthusiastic local and loyal audience. A subscription package is offered but they do not receive any other funding. Companies like Chester Street theatre rely on their box office to function.

Carla joined STAGES to discuss the vital necessity of such companies and the essential role they play.