Do you teach acting skills as well as give performances?
Yes, most of our members have had no previous acting experience. In addition to rehearsing for a specific role in a production, we do general exercises that help us train. More of this is done in the fall session when we encourage new members to join. Most members have been with the group for many years and continue to gain from the general training as well.
How often do you perform?
Typically we have two sets of performances each year. Most new members join in September and we produce a series of short plays so that everyone can have a "starring" role. The short plays are performed just before the Christmas holidays.
Over the Christmas holiday season cast members can read the upcoming full-length play and at the start of the new year begin rehearsals for the main production in the spring.
How do you pay your expenses?
We have a membership fee payable at the start of each season and we use this fee to pay the director. Expenses associated with a given production are covered by donations accepted from the audience. If we make a profit on a production we are then able to and spend it on such things as better lighting or sound equipment, the costs of which can be spread over multiple productions.
How do you select plays?
During the summer months a group of cast members and the director read and select the fall short plays as well as the main spring production that we plan to perform that year.
How often do you rehearse?
As an entire cast we rehearse every Monday night at Victoria Hall. However smaller groups frequently get together to rehearse certain scenes at each others' homes on an ad hoc basis. Generally each member rehearses twice a week.