© 2012 Act Your Age -26 January 2012

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Webmaster: Philip Crouch

Theatre-in-the-round

Theatre-in-the-round performances are always interesting, entertaining, diversified and engaging. This theatrical genre provides a broad spectrum of artistic opportunity for audiences and cast members alike. As mature-age performers, we have been able to actively demonstrate a variety of theatrical experience.

For our audiences, the key focus is always on interactivity. This occurs through a number of activities including joining in on sing-a-longs, becoming a character in a “Stonehouse Gully” production, discussing issues – particularly as they relate to creative ageing - or providing AYA performers with a story, which is later theatrically played back to the whole audience.   

In recognising that many AYA audiences are also in the mature-age category, the ability to provide entertainment that “raises the voices” of older persons has proved successful – otherwise, why we would we still be here?

Cast members need to be versatile, adaptable, positive team players, and contribute to all facets of administration, production and performance development on and off stage. There are no “Stars” in this community theatre group.

In any one program cast members may assume several character roles allowing them to develop their theatrical skills. In 2012, theatre development workshops are being facilitated by a professional theatre practitioner.

When performing, cast members use hand-held script books enabling greater flexibility when meeting stage performance requirements. The cast are encouraged at rehearsals to practise using books minimally.  Although a cappella and accompanied singing is now an integral part of productions, not all cast members are required to sing - just mime.

Beyond AYA activities, performers are encouraged to attend various theatrical or musical performances.  A portable sound system and microphones ensure audiences are able to hear our performances clearly.  

Benefits of AYA programs include:

• Suitability to club meetings, conferences, seminars

• Flexibility of performing at a range of venues including small or large halls
• Ability to provide 15-minute to one-hour performances at your venue
• In collaboration with a business, community group or event organisers to develop
  a program that will provide a reflection of your current issues, event themes or activities
• Adaptability of program themes
• Presenting themes that reflect the “real everyday lives of older persons”. Theatrical content for

productions is drawn from a wide array of sources including: stereotyping of ageing, media and social research reports, life experiences of cast and audiences

• Encouraging, without embarrassment, individual or collective audience participation
• Providing audiences with an opportunity to tell their stories, and presenting an improvised play-back of these events
• Encouraging a healthy audience sing-a-long during a performance
• Performing other playwrights’ works. We currently have permission to use four one-act plays.