FAQs

Q How do get involved?
Click here to see the Get Involved page.

Q What's the best way to act?
We tend to use the Sir Ian Mckellen approach to acting.
Click here to see his advice (links to a youtube video).

Q What do you do?
MAY - A Spring Production (usually over 16s in the cast)
MAY  to JULY - Scripts on the Night (informal play reading and scene study)
MAY, JUNE or JULY- A Youth/Family Event or Production
AUGUST - Members' Party (all ages - family and friends invited)
DECEMBER - Crowborough Community Pantomime
OCCASIONAL - Performance Workshops (voice, improv, movement)
​See the Events page for more information.

Q Did you run the charity Easter Variety Show "Show Time"?
We can't take credit for this charity event; it was run by a WI group; Crowborough Vale Drama Group. (Contact 01892 662819 or email [email protected]. ) This group finished running in 2015.

Q What age ranges are there?
We have children, teens and adults of all ages. Children under 7 tend to get involved with their parents but anyone from 7 to 70+ is welcome to join. 
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Q How many members are there?
There are over 100 members. The 2013 panto had 116 people involved, 78 on stage, 45 people with speaking roles.

Q I just want to help out, but not act, can I do that?
Yes, please. We always need people to organise productions and crew them. Please contact us.

Q. I've never done theatre before, can I join?
Yes. Please do. Community theatre is for everyone.

Q. I trained at the RADA, is it for me?
Yes. We have people involved who have trained and worked in professional theatre.

Q How do auditions work?
They are very informal and fun.
When all the auditions are over, and the Director/Directing Team has met and heard everyone who is interested in a part they will fit the people they have met with the characters in the play. They will then contact you to ask you to take part, in the role they have selected.
Not everyone can get a part every time but this doesn’t mean the group doesn’t want you!
There may:
+  not be enough parts for everyone who is interested in taking one,
+  not be a part which suits you,
+  be people who get offered parts first who have missed out on parts in productions before and have been waiting to get one.
And we still want you to join in the fun! Please be involved in back stage and front of house work, set-building, make-up and wardrobe! These tasks are vital to the performance and loads of fun to do.

Q Crewing is a bit light-weight, though, isn't it?
Don't say that to a theatre Tech who is 60 feet above you, holding a stage light. Crewing is skilled and precise work. It definitely isn't a light-weight option.

Q How is the group run?
It’s a team effort! Every paid-up adult member of the Crowborough Players (see How Much Does it Cost below for details on membership costs)  can put themselves forward to be part of the admin team (aka The Committee). Members can be as involved as they would like in the running of the group. Every member on  the admin team has a vote on decisions made in that meeting.

The  admin team are facilitators, rather than managers of the group – involved in community theatre for fun rather than to run a committee, so meetings are very informal – although the constitution is followed!

Q How much does it cost?
Single Adult Membership per annum: £20
Junior Membership (under 18) per annum: £10
Family Membership (2 adults & all under 18s): £50

Membership runs annually from June & largely covers insurance costs. For this, members are not only insured but also have free or reduced cost entry to events such as voice workshops, improvisation workshops, and play readings. Members also have the option to be on the admin team, shaping what we do, and how we do it. Members can be as involved as they want to be with the running of the group.

Email [email protected] for an application form.

Additional Costs
Cast Members:
+ Pay a  Performance Fee per production. (Guide Price up to £20 per production.)
+ Buy their script.  This is around £10 to £15 and passed on at cost inc p&p.
+ Provide some costumes or elements of costumes for their characters. (Usually from charity shops or their own wardrobes.)

There is a group make-up box, which is paid for by group funds. However, some actors prefer to provide and/or do their own make-up.

Q. How do you pay for productions?
The 2015 panto cost £7,300 to put on.
Productions are funded by ticket sales, a raffle, and performance fees.  Cast and crew members are encouraged to contribute to this by helping publicise the show, and selling tickets to friends and family.

Q. What do you do with all that money you make?
If a performance earns any revenue (and it rarely does), this is put towards the general costs of running the group; make-up, lighting, props, set, sound, insurance, auditing of accounts, and free or subsidised workshops for members. We also maintaining a fund to subsidise future productions. All the money the group has goes towards community theatre in Crowborough.