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Inspiration Theatre is an art form. Community theatre is a grounded art form - in which the personal, the local and the connected are similar to the reality of the audience. The stories, the settings, and even the cast are of "us". This page shares stories of those who inspire us as they share their knowledge, experiences and passion, creating theatre among us. If you know of inspiring stories we can share here, please send them in! Beth Haste A Life In Theatre Beth's experience with community theatre is a wonderful example of gaining fulfilment in life through theatre. She educated herself, initiated community theatre, and led others toward the richness of community experiences along the way. She was, in her time, a hidden treasure of community theatre. We could all learn from Beth. This interview was captured only one week before Beth passed away.

Discussion about her work with people with a disability. From: YouTube Accessible Community Theatre Hayley Sherwood Discussion about her work with people with a disability. Winston Churchill Foundation Australia Play Video Open Document Michael McSweeney

My introduction to community theatre came through the work of Ann Jellicoe, probably the most influential writer and director working in the field and the woman who is still most closely identified with the notion of the ‘community play’. Indeed Jellicoe’s own book Community Plays: How To Put Them On, published in 1987 is still the only available text that provides any kind of blue print for the creation of community theatre; (I know three of the people in the photograph on the front of this book – Mr Carlyon was the father of one of my best friends and Mrs Hill still works in a shop in my home town of Colyton. I have always been a little bit frustrated by this cover though – for I was standing just behind Alexandra, and yet somehow missed out on being included in the image). From: YouTube Relaxed Performances and Social definition of Disability Paul Brewster McGinley My introduction to community theatre came through the work of Ann Jellicoe, probably the most influential writer and director working in the field and the woman who is still most closely identified with the notion of the ‘community play’. Indeed Jellicoe’s own book Community Plays: How To Put Them On, published in 1987 is still the only available text that provides any kind of blue print for the creation of community theatre; (I know three of the people in the photograph on the front of this book – Mr Carlyon was the father of one of my best friends and Mrs Hill still works in a shop in my home town of Colyton. I have always been a little bit frustrated by this cover though – for I was standing just behind Alexandra, and yet somehow missed out on being included in the image). Winston Churchill Foundation Australia Play Video Open Document Michael McSweeney

ISBN 10: 0454014589 / ISBN 13: 9780454014587 From: ReadingList Community Theatre in Australia Richard Fotheringham ISBN 10: 0454014589 / ISBN 13: 9780454014587 Currency Press, Sydney. Published by Methuen Australia, North Ryde,, 1987 Play Video Open Document Paul Maunder

Hayley discussed values of community theatre like connection and trust. From: YouTube Connection to community Hayley Sherwood Hayley discussed values of community theatre like connection and trust. Winston Churchill Foundation Australia Play Video Open Document Michael McSweeney

Michael Rohd is founding artistic director of Sojourn Theatre, a thirteen year old ensemble-based company and a 2005 recipient of Americans for the Arts’ Animating Democracy Exemplar Award. He devises and directs around the nation, received a 2010 Chicago Jeff Award for Best New Work, is on faculty at Northwestern University, and wrote the widely translated book Theatre for Community, Conflict, and Dialogue. His work with Sojourn, other theaters and in non-arts sector settings around the nation focuses on social practice and civic practice projects through collaboratively designed arts-based engagement and participation strategies. He leads the recently formed Center for Performance and Civic Practice. From: ReadingList Theatre for Community, Conflict, and Dialogue. Michael Rhode Michael Rohd is founding artistic director of Sojourn Theatre, a thirteen year old ensemble-based company and a 2005 recipient of Americans for the Arts’ Animating Democracy Exemplar Award. He devises and directs around the nation, received a 2010 Chicago Jeff Award for Best New Work, is on faculty at Northwestern University, and wrote the widely translated book Theatre for Community, Conflict, and Dialogue. His work with Sojourn, other theaters and in non-arts sector settings around the nation focuses on social practice and civic practice projects through collaboratively designed arts-based engagement and participation strategies. He leads the recently formed Center for Performance and Civic Practice. Play Video Open Document

Ann Jellicoe, the writer, and the ‘community play’ From: ReadingList Local Arts: Community-Based Performance in the United States Jan Cohen-Cruz Ann Jellicoe, the writer, and the ‘community play’ Rutgers University Press Play Video Open Document Paul Maunder

< Back Rainforest Action Initiative This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

To become a Friend of Bush Theatre Network, just enter your details into the fields below and then click the orange "Save" button. You will be notified when we create new content and community theatre resources, and be invited to participate in other theatre-based activities from time to time. You can also write to us with comments and suggestions. You will have a voice in how this develops! First Name Last Name Email Town / City State Region Country Save When there are enough people electing to become Friends, we will probably ask you what you think about how we can build ourselves into a proper network. We are looking forward to finding ways for people to participate in shared activities, link in with other friends/members in their area, comment and provide feedback. But that is in the future for now. Becoming a Friend is free of charge. If you want to opt out again simply write to bushtheatrenetwork@gmail.com and let us know. Your info will not be shared or on-sold.

Engaging the Community From: YouTube Engaging the Community Alexander Santiago-Jirau Engaging the Community Winston Churchill Foundation Australia Play Video Open Document Michael McSweeney

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< Back Desert Wildlife Conservation This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next