Get Involved

Intro

Productions : Workshops : Play Readings : Rehearsed Play Readings : Drama Festival : And much much more. Peterborough Mask Theatre always welcomes new members for acting, directing and backstage roles.

No previous experience is necessary and we have plenty going on.

An amateur dramatic society is made up of many different people with a variety of skills and aspirations, people of all ages and from a variety of backgrounds.

Acting

How many times in your life have you watched a play, a film or the television and thought to yourself - I could do that or I'd love to have a go at that? Well, what are you waiting for? Come and give it a go. Auditions are open to all members. If you are good enough and fit the director's image for the part then it could be you treading those boards. The Mask Theatre does put on a wide variety of plays so there is bound to be a part you can get your teeth into. Come on! Give it a go!

Backstage

Backstage on a production can be a very exciting place to be. Dressed all in black, mingling unobtrusively among the actors and actresses, silently going about your job with military precision. You could be moving anything from a small prop to completely remodelling the stage, sometimes in full view of the audience and let me just say that in the dark this can be very difficult. So if you feel this for you come along and have a go. No experience necessary.

Stage Management

One of the most vital members of any production team is the stage manager. The task starts as soon as the play has been chosen and the performance dates fixed. The stage manager starts to gather the backstage team together. Meetings are fixed to consider the design of the production. The property team and the wardrobe co-ordinator are all involved at this early stage. Workshops are organised to construct the set and properties. It is only when all this planning is well under way that the auditions are held, the cast chosen and the rehearsal schedule agreed.

Props

Props are the objects handled by actors or used in dressing the stage which are carried on set or placed on the set which aren't costumes or scenery. Props, when used, are an integral part of any play and maybe some of the audiences don't always notice the props unless we get it dreadfully wrong and then everyone notices! The props team work hard, have perpetual headaches, suffer moderate to severe anxiety and experience sleepless nights.

The size of the team will vary depending on the amount of props needed and the complexity of the production. The head of the team will usually be involved from early on by attending rehearsals and production/technical meetings. We have to know the basics of the script and the character.

Wardrobe

One of the big challenges in the theatre today has got to be the costume department. Costumes can make or break a production. Some of the main challenges are getting the right styles of costumes set in the right period, but most of all, managing all this at the right cost. Have you got a good eye for design? Can you sew? Are you good at rummaging around in shops or negotiating a good price? Come and give it a try. It can be a lot of fun.

Makeup

Do you have an interest in stage make-up? Have you got the time and skill to help our society during productions? Maybe you could help by running some make-up workshops during the year. We are a friendly bunch.

Set Construction

Are you the practical sort, good with tools and don't mind getting your hands dirty? Why not put it all to good use? We are always looking for people to help with our set construction.. A set can be quite a challenge. It has to be sturdy enough to stand up to the rigours of a week's run but light enough to be able to be transported to and from the venue and moved around the stage easily. If you would like to give it a go, give us a call.

Directing

A director has an uncontrollable urge. Where does the urge come from? It could be stimulated by a play, which has been read. (Mask members are always holding play readings - see the diary notes).

The director has a vision of how the words will sound in an actor's mouth and has ideas about what the audience will see on the stage. This urge to direct is taken to a meeting of the Mask Committee. A budget is agreed, audition dates are fixed and a meeting with the set designer arranged.

Set Design

Props are the objects handled by actors or used in dressing the stage which are carried on set or placed on the set which aren't costumes or scenery. Props, when used, are an integral part of any play and maybe some of the audiences don't always notice the props unless we get it dreadfully wrong and then everyone notices! The props team work hard, have perpetual headaches, suffer moderate to severe anxiety and experience sleepless nights.

The size of the team will vary depending on the amount of props needed and the complexity of the production. The head of the team will usually be involved from early on by attending rehearsals and production/technical meetings. We have to know the basics of the script and the character.

Marketing

why do you need Marketing?', is something people often ask me. 'You're only an Amateur Society', maybe so, but we are a society that prides itself on acting professionally and that includes Marketing.

It's the same for the Mask as any other company, if we don't promote our work nobody will come to see it, which is not good considering our production costs can be over £6000 for a single production.

Writing

If you enjoy writing then amateur dramatics can provide an outlet for your talent. Although our main productions are by noted authors there is always an opportunity to write sketches, poems, stories and dialogue etc. for in-house productions. So put pen to paper and join us today to see your words come to life.