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| Starting an English Language Theater Where You Are |
Welcome to KELT!
KELT is considering making application with the International Amateur Theater Association (AITA/IATA). If we do this, we hope that it will lead to KELT being the national center for amateur theater in Kazakhstan. The problem? There aren't any other amateur theaters in Kazakhstan! So, we hope to help create them in towns all over the country.
Would you like to start a KELT-like program? KELT wants to give you the tools.
Briefly, what do you need?
1) A small group of dedicated people.
This kind of thing can easily fall on one person's shoulders, but it won't work if it stays that way. Find a small group of people who will dedicate themselves to making your theater group succeed, and delegate responsibility.
2) Some understanding of the craft of theater.
Now, you don't have to move to Moscow or New York and study acting to do it yourself. You can go online and find a wealth of information about the basics. Here are some websites to help you get started:
Click here
3) At least one native English speaker
This one can be tricky. Ideally, for this kind of project to work, you should have a mixed cast of native and non-native English speakers. This makes it more interesting for everyone, I think. However, the reality of it may be that the foriegners may not have the time to be involved full-time. At the least, you should have one native English speaker who would agree to act as a consultant - to make sure you are pronouncing words correctly, emphasizing the right words in the sentences, etc. You should try to bring in this person from the beginning of the project, and have them agree to be involved for a set period of time - say, one year.
You also need to compile a list of email addresses of native English speakers in your community, so that you can email them and let them know about your events. But, a bit of advice, don't email them too often, and don't send them junk mail or spam. This will just annoy them.
4) Materials to Perform
Does someone in your new group like getting on the internet? Have them Google things like "free theater scripts online" to find what is out there. Your group will have to read many scripts to find the right one for you. Also, KELT Almaty will gladly make scripts available if you email koolkash@pactec.kz and request scripts.
5) A Place to Rehearse and Perform
When we started KELT, KIMEP was a logical choice as a place to hold our project. We have become an official student activity at KIMEP, and we use the facilities at no charge, and also get money from the KIMEP Student Activity budget.
I realize that you may not have a university in your town that would be willing to go so far as give you a budget, but they may be willing to let you use their facilities for rehearsals (repititions) and maybe even for performances. I would suggest you ask, share your vision especially with the Language Faculty, and see what happens.
If you can't find a space like that, then just use what you have at first. Rehearse in your home, and perform on the street!
6 Financial Support
At first, this won't be a huge issue. You can use your own clothes, buy your own props, etc, and then pay yourself back with the tickets you sell (keep ticket price reasonable!). But, as you begin to develop the program, you will need other things, and it would be good if you could secure some sort of financial support, say from a local company who wants to get their name out in the community, especially the English-speaking community. Of course, if you aren't attached formally to a university, this will involve some understanding of tax laws in your community. It's another good reason to get your program under the "protection" of a local university, in my opinion.
These are the basics of what you need to do. It may not be an easy road, and you may want to quit, but if you press on, you will find that it can be a great experience to have the only English language theater in town!
For more information, please feel free to write KELT director, Jessica Lewis at jesslewlew@yahoo.com. KELT Almaty would love to stay closely involved and related with what you do.
Online Resources
Visit communitytheater.org, a website designed to help community theaters grow and develop. A great resource for people trying to do theater for fun rather than just as a profession.
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