Joining Broxbourne Theatre Company

When is the best time to join?

New members are welcome for the musical Half a Sixpence which begins rehearsal in January 2012 for performance in May  and for Peter Pan the Pantomime which begins rehearsal in September 2012 for performance in January 2013.

If you're interested in working backstage, the main backstage work for Jack and the Beanstalk begins in December but please contact us now, so that we can invite you along to meet our stage manager and some of the members. You may also be able to help with additional set construction, making properties, carnival floats etc.

We will also need stage crew, programme sellers and ushers to help with the show.

Either way, don't delay contacting us - once we have your details, we'll be able to let you know of arrangements as they arise.

Do I need previous experience?

If you can sing in tune at reasonable volume, and you like enjoyable hard work, then you have all the experience you need to get started in the chorus or in a supporting role.

All our members are keen amateurs just like you. We have an experienced director, musical director and choreographer who will show you what to do, and other friendly members who will help.

If you do have previous performing experience then you can also consider auditioning for some of the principal parts. However, you must be a fully paid-up member before being eligible for audition. A previous appearance in the chorus will help to ensure you know how we work.

How much does it cost to take part?

A lot less than playing golf, and most certainly a lot more fun !

•  Annual subscription is £16 (£15 if you pay by direct debit). It is payable on joining, and expires in September each year.
•  New members also pay an enrolment fee of £30.
•  All performing members also pay a production fee of £50 for each production in which they appear, whether as a principal or as a member of the chorus. There are no daily or weekly rehearsal fees.
•  For most musicals, the script is available only on hire, for a £25 deposit refundable only if the script is returned after the show in original condition with all marks fully erased.
•  We will pay for hire of your main costumes, but you may also need to find or buy some accessories, eg belts and shoes.

We now audition the chorus as well as the principal parts. Interested new members are still welcome to attend the pre-audition rehearsals to decide whether they wish to become members, but auditions for principals and chorus are open only to members, so if you wish to audition you will need to become a member (paying the enrolment fee and annual subscription) before the audition day. Script deposits are payable when you take the script. The production fee is payable by the first Sunday rehearsal.

Backstage workers do not pay a production fee, and are not necessarily required to become members, but are encouraged to do so at either the Full Members rate (as above, which confers voting rights) or as an associate member at a reduced rate of £5 which covers newsletters and allows participation in social events.

Will I be able to audition for the main parts?

Unusually we have decided to cast the all-important Half a Sixpence lead role in advance. So we are pleased to announce that Haydn Boxall, who played Cosmo Brown in Singin’ In The Rain, will be returning as Arthur Kipps.

All members are entitled to audition for all the other roles, and assistance will be given in a pre-audition rehearsal.

If you don't have previous experience in a musical theatre group, its a good idea to take a chorus part in one of our shows so you know more about the way we work. You will probably find this helps if you decide to audition for the main parts in future shows.

If I'm helping backstage, will I be needed at all performances?

It's a lot easier if we do have the same backstage crew at Technical and Dress Rehearsals and for every performance, but it's always useful to have some extra people on the rigging day and the dress and technical rehearsals. There will be also be some jobs during the run of the show that you can help with.

We also need programme sellers and ushers during performances, as well as people to help with social events, publicity, carnival floats etc.

Need further information?

Rehearsal dates and character information are available in the links on the left.

If you have other questions, please fill in the membership enquiry below.