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Amateur theatre, also known as amateur dramatics, is theatre performed by amateur actors and singers. Amateur theatre groups may stage plays, revues, musicals, light opera, pantomime or variety shows, and do so for the social activity as well as the artistic side. Productions may take place in venues ranging from the open air, community centres or schools to independent or major professional theatres and can be simple light entertainment or demanding drama. Amateur theatre is distinct from the professional or community theatre simply in that participants are not paid, although this is not always the case, even though the productions staged may be commercial ventures, either to fund further productions, to benefit the community, or for charity. Amateur actors are not typically members of actors' unions, as these organisations exist to protect the professional industry and discourage their members from working with companies which are not signatories to union contracts.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.actorsequity.org/membership/responsibilities.asp )〕 ==Definition== Opinions vary on how to define "amateur" in relation to theatre. Technically speaking, an "amateur" is anyone who does not accept, or is not offered, money for their services. One interpretation of this is''"One lacking the skill of a professional, as in an art."'' Another is ''"A person who engages in an art, science, study, or athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession."''〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.answers.com/topic/amateur )〕 An amateur actor is unlikely to be a member of an actors' union as most countries' trades unions have strict policies in place. For example in Britain Equity ''"are pleased to welcome into Equity anyone who is currently working professionally in the field of entertainment."''〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.equity.org.uk/HowToJoin/default.aspx )〕 In the USA the Actors' Equity Association〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.actorsequity.org/AboutEquity/aboutequityhome.asp )〕 serves a similar purpose: to protect the professional industry and its artists. While the majority of professional stage performers have developed their skills and studied their craft at recognised training institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London), Juilliard School (New York) or National Institute of Dramatic Art (Sydney), amateurs are not usually professionally trained. Amateur theatre (amateur dramatics) can be defined as ''"theatre performances in which the people involved are not paid but take part for their own enjoyment"''〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/amateur-dramatics )〕 which provides a source of entertainment for local communities and can be a fun and exciting hobby, with strong bonds of friendship formed through participation in community organised theatrical events. Many amateur theatre groups reject the "amateur" label and its negative association with "amateurish", preferring to style themselves "dramatic societies", "theatre groups" or just "players". Scottish theatre-maker and writer Andrew Mckinnon in 2006 observed: ''"whether we like it or not, and whatever its original root meaning -- the word "amateur" now has a negative, often pejorative significance in modern English usage when it applies to theatre and art. In theatre specifically, "amateurism" is regularly used to imply muddled and botched work, low standards, lack of preparation, and so on; indeed, some amateur theatre companies in the UK, being aware of this, are even following the American usage by re- branding themselves as "community" groups."'' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 21–27 September 2006 Issue No. 813) 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Amateur theatre」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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